Frankincense-loaded lactoferrin-conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles for targeted brain delivery and neuroprotection in a scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's model.

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders remain a major field with substantial unmet therapeutic needs. This study aimed to address the critical challenge of brain drug delivery by employing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) surface-functionalized with lactoferrin (Lf) ligands, from the transferrin family, to facilitate transport across the blood-brain barrier. Frankincense (F), a natural compound with well-documented neuroprotective properties and minimal adverse effects, was encapsulated within (SLNs) using a microemulsion approach. The optimal formulation resulted in nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 103.1 ± 0.9 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 95.2 ± 0.8 %, a drug loading capacity of 8.6 ± 0.1 %, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.3 ± 0.08, and a zeta potential of -29.2 ± 0.5 mV. The optimized NPs showed a sustained drug release profile, and ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the conjugation of lactoferrin to the nanoparticles. To establish translational relevance, the neuroprotective effectiveness of (F-Lf-SLNs) was investigated using a scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease animal model. Behavioral tests, along with biochemical and histological analyses, were conducted. The findings demonstrated that (F-Lf-SLNs) significantly improved the brain delivery of frankincense, highlighting their promise as a neuroprotective strategy for CNS disorders. They also effectively protected neurons compared to the scopolamine-induced group. Overall, these results emphasize the key role of drug delivery systems and ligand-targeting methods in enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs.