Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Loaded with Donepezil for Nose-to-Brain Targeting

Background/Objectives: The oral administration of donepezil has been shown to have common side effects due to systemic drug delivery, with fluctuations in blood and brain donepezil concentrations. Therefore, we obtained nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with donepezil (donepezil–NLC) for nose-to-brain targeting. Methods: The obtained NLCs were characterized by measurements of particle size, the polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, atomic force microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and in vitro release studies. Plasma and brain pharmacokinetic studies in Wistar rats were carried out to determine brain targeting. Results: Donepezil–NLC showed low polydispersity and nanometric size, high zeta potential, and high drug entrapment efficiency. Microscopy images showed spherical particles with regular surfaces. Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR-ATR suggested the formation of an amorphous lipid matrix and the incorporation of donepezil molecularly dispersed within the lipid matrix. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated a biphasic drug release pattern with an initial burst followed by sustained release, with results better fitted to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (n-value > 0.5). Following the nasal administration of donepezil–NLC, brain pharmacokinetic studies in Wistar rats demonstrated a significant improvement in bioavailability. Compared to the intravenous injection of donepezil, the AUC0–ꝏ value was 10.5-fold higher. Drug targeting efficiency and direct transport percentage showed extremely higher values, suggesting nose-to-brain targeting after donepezil–NLC intranasal administration. Conclusions: Donepezil–NLC has proven to be an efficient drug delivery system for the nose to the brain, which may reduce systemic toxicity and improve Alzheimer’s therapy with low doses of donepezil and fewer adverse effects.