Quantification and evaluation of thymoquinone loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulsion for treatment of cerebral ischemia

Stroke is an important cause of deaths worldwide, resulting in an irreversible deterioration of the central nervous system. Finally, production of more free radicals. Therefore, Thymoquinone is having antioxidant property and reported to have a potential role in the amelioration of cerebral ischemia but due to low solubility and poor absorption; they exhibit low serum and tissue levels. Present work aims to prepare nanoemulsions in order enhance the bioavailability of drug and hence evaluate the drug targeting in brain via non-invasive nasal route administration. Thymoquinone Mucoadhesive Nanoemulsion (TMNE) was prepared by ionic gelation method; characterized for particles size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and ex vivo permeation study. Optimized TMNE ended up with a mean globule size 94.8 ± 6.61 nm; zeta potential −13.5 ± 1.01 mV; drug content 99.86 ± 0.35% and viscosity 110 ± 12 cp. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array (UPLC-PDA) based bioanalytical method was developed and validated for pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, brain-targeting efficiency (628.5786 ± 44.79%) and brain drug-targeting potential (89.97 ± 2.94%) studies via post intranasal administration which revealed enhanced bioavailability of TQ in brain as compared to intravenous administration. Improved neurobehavioural activity (locomotor and grip strength) was observed in middle cerebral artery occlusion induced cerebral ischemic rats after i.n. administration of TMNE.