Anxiety and cognitive effects of quercetin liposomes in rats

Quercetin, an effective flavonol used as an antioxidant, was investigated for its anxiolytic and cognitive activities in male Wistar rats. Oral quercetin (300 mg/kg body weight/day) was compared with oral and intranasal quercetin liposomes (20 μg/day). Quercetin liposomes, in a mixture of egg phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and quercetin (2:1:1) and dispersed in 50% polyethylene glycol in water, were approximately 200 nm in mean particle diameter and negative surface charge with a range of encapsulation efficiency of 60% to 80%. Anxiolytic and cognitive-enhancing effects of quercetin, conventional and liposomal, were subjected to elevated plus maze and Morris water maze tests, respectively. Both conventional and quercetin liposomes showed anxiolytic and cognitive-enhancing effects. A lower dose and a faster rate were observed with intranasal quercetin liposomes when compared with oral quercetin, conventional and liposomal. The intranasal quercetin liposomes are effective in the delivery of quercetin to the central nervous system.