Increased brain uptake of venlafaxine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles by overcoming the efflux function and expression of P-gp

Abstract

Venlafaxine (VLX) could be pumped out of the brain by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Moreover, the expression of P-gp distributed in blood–brain barrier could be significantly induced by VLX. Thus, P-gp could be considered as the nature barrier for delivering of VLX to the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the efflux function and increased expression of P-gp could be reversed by utilizing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). VLX solid lipid nanoparticles (VLX − SLN) were prepared and evaluated. Pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of VLX in different formulations were conducted after oral or intravenous administration. P-gp efflux function to VLX was evaluated by the brain uptake amount of VLX, while P-gp expression was investigated by Western blotting. Results indicated that the entrapment, mean size and zata potential of VLX − SLN was 74.9 ± 3.0 %, 186.3 ± 69.26 nm and −22.8 ± 7.78 mv, respectively. After vein injection of VLX formulations, the brain uptake amount of VLX from VLX − SLN was significantly higher than that of VLX solution, VLX solution with empty SLN (VLX+ empty SLN) and VLX solution with Verapamil (VLX + Ver), respectively. Furthermore, the protein mass of P-gp in VLX − SLN treated group was the lowest among all the investigated groups. These results indicated that SLN could overcome P-gp and achieve brain target by intravenous administration.