Curcumin-loaded bigels for potential neuroprotective application in Parkinson's disease via the nose-to-brain route

• Grant number: 25/04029-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Isadora Boni
• Grantee: Letícia Satie Oide
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Population aging in Brazil has driven an increase in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD). The treatment of PD is based on dopamine replacement, with levodopa being the most used drug. However, its oral administration presents challenges, including swallowing difficulties in elderly patients and low bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism and the "filtration" process of the blood-brain barrier. Given this scenario, this project proposes the development of an innovative bigel-based formulation for the nasal administration of curcumin, a natural compound with neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. Bigels combine the characteristics of gels and emulsions, offering advantages such as the incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, improved stability, good spreadability, and a mucoadhesive effect. The intranasal route enables rapid and direct absorption into the central nervous system, overcoming the limitations of oral and parenteral administration. The project will include the physicochemical, rheological, and structural characterization of the bigels, as well as in vitro release studies and ex vivo mucoadhesion testing. This approach is expected to provide an efficient system for nasal curcumin delivery, offering a promising therapeutic alternative for PD patients and opening new possibilities for the treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases by exploring the nose-to-brain route.