Purpose
To evaluate the effect of borneol on the brain targeting efficiency of aprotinin-conjugated poly (ethyleneglycol)–poly (L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (Apr-NP) and the activity of huperzine A (Hup A) loaded nanoparticles to AD rats .
Method
Apr-NP was prepared by emulsion and solvent evaporation method. The uptake of Apr-NP alone or combined with borneol by brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) was evaluated by incorporating coumarin-6 as a tracer. In vivo imaging and the distribution of Hup A in the brain were measured to investigate the brain delivery of Apr-NP in rats, with or without the oral administration of borneol. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the memory improvement effect of Hup A loaded nanoparticles (Apr-NP-Hup).
Results
Co-incubation with borneol could increase the uptake of nanoparticles by BCECs. Nanoparticles delivered into the rat brain were enhanced significantly by the co-administration of borneol. The pharmacological effects of Hup A loaded nanoparticles on improving the memory impairment of AD rats were greatly improved when combined with borneol.
Conclusions
Borneol is a promising enhancer for brain-targeting delivery systems. When co-administered with aprotinin-modified nanoparticles, borneol could improve the brain targeting efficiency of nanoparticles significantly.