Development of thiolated polyethylene glycol-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) co-polymeric nanoparticles for intranasal delivery of quetiapine: in vitro–ex vivo characterization

Abstract

This study aims to develop quetiapine (QTP)-loaded β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) based co-polymeric thiolated polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (t-PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (QTP@β-CD-t-PEG-PLGA) by transesterification process. As a result, the ex-vivo bioadhesion study shows good bioadhesion because of the thiolation of PEG (t-PEG), which can interrelate through mucin and expand the retention time. In-vitro release study demonstrates the QTP release to 20 h (∼98.76%). Herein, sulfhydryl ligands can form disulfide bonds with cysteine-rich mucus areas that increased the viscosity of mucin and accordingly drug retention. Hence, it can be significant accomplishment for nose to brain drug targeting in psychotic disorder management.