Formulation And Evaluation Of Resveratrol Nanoparticle-Loaded Nasal In-Situ Gel For Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and loss of striatal dopamine, producing tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Conventional oral anti-parkinsonian therapy is limited by poor systemic bioavailability, extensive first-pass metabolism and restricted blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a resveratrol nanoparticle-loaded nasal in-situ gel that exploits the nose-to-brain pathway to bypass the BBB and improve central drug delivery. Resveratrol, a BCS class-II polyphenol with demonstrated neuroprotective activity, was converted into nanoparticles to enhance nasal permeation and then incorporated into a pH-triggered in-situ gelling base prepared using Carbopol 934P, PEG 400 and cold-method dispersion. Three formulations (F1-F3) were prepared by varying the Carbopol 934P concentration and were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, FTIR compatibility, viscosity (before and after gelation), pH, gel strength, spreadability, mucoadhesive strength, in-vitro drug release and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanoparticles showed a particle size range of 100-140 nm and entrapment efficiency up to 88%. Formulation F2 exhibited the most favourable balance of viscosity, non-irritant pH, spreadability, mucoadhesive strength and cumulative in-vitro drug release (30.3% at 60 min), indicating suitability for sustained nasal residence and nose-to-brain transport. The results support the resveratrol nanoparticle-loaded nasal in-situ gel as a promising, non-invasive, patient-compliant strategy for the management of Parkinson's disease, warranting further in-vivo and clinical evaluation.