Role of berberine nanoformulation in epilepsy: A novel therapeutic strategy.

The aim of the present study was to develop a novel formulation of berberine (BBR) and demonstrate its anti-seizure effect in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced kindling model in rats. Nanoparticles of BBR were formulated using Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) as a polymer. Emulsification and solvent evaporation technique was used. PTZ induced kindling model in male wistar rat was used to demonstrate the anti-seizure effect of nano-BBR. The particle size obtained for the final formulation was 242.8 ± 67.35 nm with a PDI of 0.140 ± 0.01. PLGA encapsulated BBR nanoparticles showed the % encapsulation efficiency of 87.33 ± 2.42 % and % drug loading of 48.47 ± 1.34 %. In-vitro drug release data showed sustained release of nano-BBR as compared to BBR. Kinetic study data showed increase in AUC of nano-BBR (35,429.46 h.ng/ml) as compared to BBR (28,211.07 h.ng/ml). Cmax for nano- BBR (2251.90 ng/ml) is approximately 1.6 times greater than BBR (1505.50 ng/ml). Nano- BBR has shown the significant effect on the seizure score. The PLGA encapsulated berberine nanoparticles were prepared by an innovative simple method and offers excellent potential as an antiepileptic agent.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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