Oral Delivery of Methylthioadenosine to the Brain Employing Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Pharmacokinetic, Behavioral, and Histopathological Evidences

The present study aimed to orally deliver methylthioadenosine (MTA) to the brain employing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the management of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis. The stearic acid–based SLNs were below 100 nm with almost neutral zeta potential and offered higher drug entrapment and drug loading. Cuprizone-induced demyelination model in mice was employed to mimic the multiple sclerosis–like conditions. It was observed that the MTA-loaded SLNs were able to maintain the normal metabolism, locomotor activity, motor coordination, balancing, and grip strength of the rodents in substantially superior ways vis-a-vis plain MTA. Histopathological studies of the corpus callosum and its subsequent staining with myelin staining dye luxol fast blue proved the potential of MTA-loaded SLNs in the remyelination of neurons. The pharmacokinetic studies provided the evidences for improved bioavailability and enhanced bioresidence supporting the pharmacodynamic findings. The studies proved that SLN-encapsulated MTA can be substantially delivered to the brain and can effectively remyelinate the neurons. It can reverse the multiple sclerosis–like symptoms in a safer and effective manner, that too by oral route.