Exploring the Potential of Intranasally Administered Naturally Occurring Quercetin Loaded into Polymeric Nanocapsules as a Novel Platform for the Treatment of Anxiety

Abstract

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent forms of psychopathology that affects millions worldwide. It gains more importance under the current pandemic status that resulted in higher anxiety prevalence. Anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepines have an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio resulting in a shift toward active ingredients with better safety profile such as the naturally occurring quercetin. The delivery of quercetin is hampered by its low water solubility and low bioavailability. The potential of enhancing quercetin delivery to the brain utilizing polymeric nanocapsules administered nasally is investigated in the current study. Polymeric nanocapsules were prepared utilizing the nanoprecipitation technique. The best formula displayed a particle size of 227.8 ± 11.9, Polydispersity index of 0.466 ± 0.023, zeta potential of -17.5 ± 0.01, and encapsulation efficiency % of 92.5 ± 1.9. The prepared nanoparticles displayed In vitro release of QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules exhibited a biphasic release with an initial burst release followed by a sustained release pattern. The in vivo evaluation demonstrated the superiority of quercetin polymeric nanocapsules administered intranasally compared quercetin dispersion administered both orally and intranasally. The prepared nanocapsules also demonstrated good safety profile with high tolerability.