Formulation optimization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of agomelatine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for augmented antidepressant effects

The present study was intended to prepare and optimize agomelatine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (AGM-NLCs) for augmented in vivo antidepressant potential. AGM-NLCs were optimized on several parameters including cumulative hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of surfactants, proportions of solid and liquid lipids, total amounts of drug and surfactants. AGM-NLCs were assessed for their physicochemical properties, in vitro AGM release and in vivo antidepressant effects in mice model. The optimized AGM-NLCs demonstrated spherical morphology with average particle size of 99.8 ± 2.6 nm, PDI of 0.142 ± 0.017, zeta potential of − 23.2 ± 1.2 mV and entrapment efficiency of 97.1 ± 2.1%. Thermal and crystallinity studies depict amorphous nature of AGM after its incorporation into NLCs. AGM-NLCs exhibit a sustained drug release profile after initial 2 h. Mice treated with AGM-NLCs exhibited reduced immobility time in behavioral analysis. Furthermore, cresyl violet staining demonstrated an improved neuronal morphology and survival in AGM-NLCs group. The concentrations and the expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and COX-2) in mice brain were significantly reduced by AGM-NLCs. Taken together, therapeutic effectiveness of AGM was markedly augmented in AGM-NLCs and thereby they could be promising nanocarriers for the effective delivery of antidepressants to brain.