Madecassoside encapsulated in alginate chitosan nanoparticles exerts anti-excitotoxicity effects in pilocarpine-induced seizure

Abstract

Madecassoside (MAD), a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin, and its source herb Centella asiatica are best known for their memory enhancing and neuroprotective properties. The effects of MAD- and similar secondary metabolite-encapsulated nanoparticles on brain are least explored. Henceforth, we have developed MAD encapsulated alginate chitosan nanoparticles (MACNPs), and their therapeutic potential is studied against pilocarpine (PC) rodent seizure model. MACNPs were synthesized by ionic-gelation polyelectrolyte technique and characterized by DLS, SEM, TEM and XRD. MAD encapsulation and release profile of MACNPs were studied in vitro. MACNPs distribution in mice brain tissues was also evaluated by SEM and TEM. MACNPs offered a negative zeta potential, considerable hydrodynamic size and spherical morphology. They significantly reduced the number of animals experiencing the most severe seizures, showed enhanced bioavailability and membrane integrity. Protection of tissues by MACNPs on PC toxicity in mice was assessed by histopathology on challenged mice brain. mRNA overexpression of MAPK1, MAPK14 genes together with bcl2, caspase 3 and hspa1b for oxidative stress and inflammation was observed. However, regulated expression of mRNA in p53 gene was noted. Our results describing the anti-seizure profile, combined with its observed mRNA expression and biodistribution, strongly support MACNP as a therapeutic candidate for a diverse range of epilepsies and related stress-inflammation.

Keywords

• Madecassoside
• Nanoparticles
• Pilocarpine
• Gene expression
• Excitotoxicity
• Seizures