In vitro & in vivo evaluations of PLGA nanoparticle based combinatorial drug therapy for baclofen and lamotrigine for neuropathic pain management

J Microencapsul. 2022 Mar;39(2):95-109. doi: 10.1080/02652048.2022.2041751. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Abstract

Aim: Baclofen and Lamotrigine via PLGA nanoparticles were developed for nose-to-brain delivery for the treatment of Neuropathic pain.

Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared using the modified nano-precipitation method. The prepared NPs were characterised and further in vitro and in vivo studies were performed.

Results: The Bcf-Ltg-PLGA-NPs were ∼177.7 nm with >75%(w/w) drugs encapsulated. In vitro dissolution studies suggested zero-order release profiles following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. In vitro cytotoxicity and staining studies on mammalian cells showed dose dependant cytotoxicity where nanoparticles were significantly less toxic (>95% cell-viability). ELISA studies on RAW-macrophages showed Bcf-Ltg-PLGA-NPs as a potential pro-inflammatory-cytokines inhibitor. In vivo gamma-scintigraphy studies on rats showed intra-nasal administration of 99mTc-Bcf-Ltg-PLGA-NPs showed Cmax 3.6%/g at Tmax = 1.5h with DTE% as 191.23% and DTP% = 38.61% in brain. Pharmacodynamics evaluations on C57BL/6J mice showed a significant reduction in licks/bites during inflammation-induced phase II pain.

Conclusion: The findings concluded that the combination of these drugs into a single nanoparticle-based formulation has potential for pain management.

Keywords: Baclofen; PLGA; lamotrigine; nanoparticles; neuropathic pain.

Plain language summary

Baclofen and Lamotrigine loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared with a size of 177.7nm, PDI 0.057 and Zeta Potential −15.8 mVIn vitro cell lines based studies showed dose dependant cytotoxicity and Bcf-Ltg-PLGA-NPs were found to be pro-inflammatory cytokines inhibitorsIn vivo Pharmacokinetic studies showed Cmax 3.6%/g at Tmax = 1.5 h with Drug Targeting Efficiency 191.23% and Drug Target Organ Transport 38.61% in the brain for prepared nanoparticlesIn vivo pharmacodynamics studies showed a significant reduction in licks/bites during inflammation-induced phase II pain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baclofen / therapeutic use
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use
  • Lamotrigine / therapeutic use
  • Mammals
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Neuralgia* / drug therapy
  • Particle Size
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Rats

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Baclofen
  • Lamotrigine