This work reports the targeting of the near infrared (NIR) dye indocyanine green (ICG) to the brain using composite nanoparticles. Thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl was used to synthesize monodisperse oleic acid coated magnetic nanoparticles (OAMNP). Synthesized OAMNP and ICG were encapsulated in a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) matrix using an emulsion evaporation method. Different batches containing OAMNP:PLGA ratios (1:4, 1:2 and 3:4) were prepared with ICG (group B-1, 2, 3) and without ICG (group A-1, 2, 3) loading. All the formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, magnetic content, ICG encapsulation efficiency and the spectral properties of ICG. The optimized formulation showed an encapsulation efficiency of 56 +/- 4.6% for ICG and 57 +/- 1.37% for OAMNP. The biodistribution and brain targeting study involved three groups of six animals, each with 0.4 mg kg(-1) equivalent of ICG, given as neat ICG solution, composite nanoparticles without the aid of a magnetic field, and composite nanoparticles under the influence of a magnetic field (8000 G) to groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The tissue analysis and microscopy images revealed a significantly higher brain concentration of ICG (p < 0.05) for group 3 than the two control groups. These results are encouraging for the brain delivery of hydrophilic dyes/drugs using this method for biomedical applications.
Magnetic nanoparticles (NP) were developed for the active brain targeting of water-soluble P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate rhodamine 123 (Rh123). The NP matrix of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and methoxy poly(ethyleneglycol)-poly(lactic acid) (M-PEG-PLA) was prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation of polymers with oleic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles (OAMNP) and Rh123. All formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, magnetic content and Rh123 encapsulation efficiency. The maximum encapsulation efficiency of Rh123 was 45 ± 3% and of OAMNP was 42 ± 4%. The brain targeting and biodistribution study was performed on Sprague Dawley rats (3 groups, n = 6). Rh123 (0.4 mg kg(-1)) was administered in saline form, NP containing Rh123, and NP containing Rh123 in the presence of a magnetic field (0.8 T). The fluorimetric analysis of brain homogenates revealed a significant uptake (p < 0.05) of Rh123 in the magnetically targeted group relative to controls. These results were supported by fluorescence microscopy. This study reveals the ability of magnetically targeted nanoparticles to deliver substances to the brain, the permeation of which would otherwise be inhibited by the P-gp system.
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