Clozapine linked to nanocapsules minimizes tissue and oxidative damage to biomolecules lipids, proteins and DNA in brain of rats Wistar

4-(Phenylselanyl)-2H-chromen-2-one-Loaded Nanocapsule Suspension-A Promising Breakthrough in Pain Management: Comprehensive Molecular Docking, Formulation Design, and Toxicological and Pharmacological Assessments in Mice

Therapies for the treatment of pain and inflammation continue to pose a global challenge, emphasizing the significant impact of pain on patients' quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-(Phenylselanyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (4-PSCO) on pain-associated proteins through computational molecular docking tests. A new pharmaceutical formulation based on polymeric nanocapsules was developed and characterized. The potential toxicity of 4-PSCO was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans and Swiss mice, and its pharmacological actions through acute nociception and inflammation tests were also assessed. Our results demonstrated that 4-PSCO, in its free form, exhibited high affinity for the selected receptors, including p38 MAP kinase, peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Janus kinase 2, toll-like receptor 4, and nuclear factor-kappa β. Both free and nanoencapsulated 4-PSCO showed no toxicity in nematodes and mice. Parameters related to oxidative stress and plasma markers showed no significant change. Both treatments demonstrated antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic effects in the glutamate and hot plate tests. The nanoencapsulated form exhibited a more prolonged effect, reducing mechanical hypersensitivity in an inflammatory pain model. These findings underscore the promising potential of 4-PSCO as an alternative for the development of more effective and safer drugs for the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Development and In Vivo Assessment of 4-Phenyltellanyl-7-chloroquinoline-loaded Polymeric Nanocapsules in Alzheimer's Disease Models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in older people, and available treatments are palliative and produce undesirable side effects. The 4-phenyltellanyl-7-chloroquinoline (TQ) is an organochalcogen compound studied due to its pharmacological properties, particularly its antioxidant potential. However, TQ possesses some drawbacks such as low aqueous solubility and high toxicity, thus warranting the search for tools that improve the safety and effectiveness of new compounds. Here, we developed and investigated the biological effects of TQ-loaded polymeric nanocapsules (NCTQ) in an AD model in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing human Aβ_1-42 in their body-wall muscles and Swiss mice injected with Aβ_25-35. The NCTQ displayed good physicochemical properties, including nanometer size and maximum encapsulation capacity. The treatment showed low toxicity, reduced Aβ peptide-induced paralysis, and activated an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone in the C. elegans model. The Aβ injection in mice caused memory impairment, which NCTQ mitigated by improving working, long-term, and aversive memory. Additionally, no changes in biochemical markers were evidenced in mice, demonstrating that there was no hepatotoxicity in the tested doses. Altogether, these findings provide insights into the neuroprotective effects of TQ and indicate that NCTQ is a promising candidate for AD treatment.

Global DNA Methylation Of Brain Neurons In Acute Poisoning With Clozapine And Its Combination With Alcohol: An Experimental Study

Background — Acute poisoning with atypical neuroleptic clozapine is characterized by rapid progression, high risk of death and severe neurological manifestations. Neurotoxic effects of this pharmaceutical drug have also been reported at therapeutic doses. The pathogenesis of brain damage in acute clozapine poisoning is not fully understood. Changes in DNA methylation level may play an important role in the mechanisms of drug neurotoxicity. The available data on the effect of clozapine on brain cell DNA provide a rationale for studying the epigenetic aspects of the pathogenesis of acute poisoning with this neuroleptic agent. The objective of our study was to evaluate the global DNA methylation level in rat brain neurons in acute poisoning with clozapine and its combination with ethanol. Material and methods — Clozapine – 150 mg/kg in 2.0 ml of normal saline solution, or clozapine – 150 mg/kg in 2.0 ml of 40% ethanol were administered via a gastric tube to adult male Wistar rats (n=21) under anesthesia with sevoflurane. In the control group, saline was administered via a gastric tube. Animals were euthanized four hours after drug administration. Autopsy was performed with the collection of brain samples for histochemical examination and determination of the DNA methylation level using the fluorometric method. To detect DNA in sections of paraffin-embedded tissue, we used the Feulgen staining. The TUNEL method was employed to detect DNA fragmentation. Results — An increase in the level of global DNA methylation in brain neurons was found in the clozapine and clozapine+ethanol groups. The average level of methylated DNA in the clozapine+ethanol group was higher than in the control group or clozapine group (2.56±0.31 vs. 1.35±0.1, p=0.007 and 1.70±0.33, p=0.044, respectively). An increase in the mean optical density of the cortical neuron nuclei was observed in the clozapine+ethanol group compared with the control group and clozapine group. DNA fragmentation was not detected in any experimental group. Conclusion — Acute poisoning with clozapine in combination with alcohol caused an increase in the global DNA methylation level in brain neurons, which may have played a significant role in the pathogenesis of acute clozapine poisoning and could be an important factor in the neurotoxicity of this medication.

Nose-to-brain delivery of antipsychotics using nanotechnology: a review

INTRODUCTION

Orally-administered antipsychotics are effective in the management of psychosis-related disorders although generation-specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs) significantly hinder clinical outcomes, driven by issues such as patient non-compliance. Direct nose-to-brain (N2B) delivery of antipsychotics via the olfactory epithelium could avert peripheral ADRs by maximizing cerebral drug concentrations, and reducing drug levels in the periphery. However, there exist physicochemical challenges related to psychotropic drugs, alongside biochemical barriers associated with targeting the olfactory region. Nanotechnological approaches present a viable strategy for the development of intranasal antipsychotic formulations where drug stability, mucosal absorption and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-bioavailability can be optimized.

AREAS COVERED

This review explores the unique anatomical features of the nasal cavity as a pathway for antipsychotic drug delivery to the brain. Nanocarrier-based approaches to encapsulate antipsychotics, and enhance stability, absorption and bioavailability are explored. The aim of this review is to determine current knowledge gaps for direct N2B psychotropic drug delivery, and identify clinically acceptable strategies to overcome them.

EXPERT OPINION

The olfactory epithelium may be the most effective and direct administration route for antipsychotic delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). This research is novel and has the potential to revolutionize the mode of delivery of neurological medicines to the CNS in the future.

A surface modification of clozapine-loaded nanocapsules improves their efficacy: A study of formulation development and biological assessment

This work aimed to develop nanocapsules (NC) coated with polysorbate 80 (P80), cationic chitosan (CS) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) using clozapine (CZP) as the drug model. The zeta potential, pH and encapsulation efficiency were directly affected by the CS coating. Using the bag dialysis method, the in vitro CZP release from CS-coated nanocapsules was similar to the PEG-coated at pH 7.4. Nanocapsules coated with PEG and CS exhibited an increased action duration compared to the P80-coated nanocapsules in pseudo-psychosis induced by d,l-amphetamine in rats. When comparing both groups, the group administered CS-coated nanocapsules showed better activity than the PEG-coated nanocapsules at 6, 10 and 12h after d,l-amphetamine administration. The pharmacokinetic assessment in rats demonstrated that the observed half-lives were free CZP<P80-coated<PEG-coated ̴ CS-coated nanocapsules. Both the P80- and PEG-coated nanocapsules showed a statistically significant increase in their volume of distribution compared to free CZP. On the other hand, the cationic nanocapsules showed a decrease in total clearance. Together, these results indicate that the PEG and CS coatings are a promising delivery system for CZP in the treatment of schizophrenia.