A Dual Nanoapproach for the Treatment of Depression and Sleep Via a Novel Optimized Eugenol-Mucoadhesive Nanoemulsion

Mohd Faiyaz Khan, Niyaz Ahmad, Khalid Ansari, Zabih Ullah, Hisham Osman Ibrahim, Hanan Mesfer Alyami, Ali Jaber Alqahtani, Sarfaraz Ahmad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a chitosan (CHS)-coated eugenol (EUGE)-loaded nanoemulsion (CHS-EUGE-NE) to enhance brain bioavailability. A novel GC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for EUGE quantification in brain tissue and plasma alongside pharmacokinetic analysis. The nanoemulsion was optimized using a Box-Behnken design (BBD), with the final formulation containing 6.0% oil, 10% surfactant mix, and undergoing 6.5 min of ultrasonication at 30% intensity and 40 °C. The optimized CHS-EUGE-NE exhibited a globule size of 142.4 ± 11.31 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.1660 ± 0.0009, and a zeta potential of −16.20 ± 1.10 mV, which shifted to positive upon CHS coating, enhancing mucoadhesion. A linear range from 1.00 to 3000 ng/mL was established, with accuracy between 90.91% and 99.83%. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated significantly increased Cmax and AUC in the rat brain, correlated with behavioral improvements in the forced swimming test. No signs of toxicity were observed. These findings suggest that CHS-EUGE-NE is a promising nanoformulation for enhancing the brain-targeted delivery of eugenol for the treatment of depression and sleep disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16815-16840
Number of pages26
JournalACS Omega
Volume10
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Apr 2025

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