Optimized intranasal delivery of segesterone acetate progestin to the brain using nanoemulsions and microemulsions
Segesterone acetate (SA) is a selective and potent progesterone receptor agonist with potential application in the treatment of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and stroke. In this study, a microemulsion (ME) and three nanoemulsions (NEs) with a target SA concentration of 0.48 mg/g were developed for intranasal administration and extensively characterized regarding their physicochemical properties, stability, antimicrobial activity, and safety (in primary cortical cells, Hen’s Egg Test, MucilAir™ model and in rats). Plasma and brain SA levels were measured 30 and 60 min after intranasal administration in male rats.
Authors
- Susana Alves Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0590-7846)
- Márcio Rodrigues (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7010-0619)
- Carlos Gaspar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0144-2543)
- Ana Palmeira‐de‐Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0016-3769)
- Graça Baltazar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7942-0432)
- Régine Sitruk‐Ware (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5183-9875)
- Rui Caetano Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7202-8059)
- Izamara Maocha
- Carina Peres (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9399-9156)
- Rita Palmeira‐de‐Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9311-8355)
- Shimin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2868-5078)
- Sofia Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9669-9148)
- Adriana O. Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1224-9191)
- Sara Meirinho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7978-057X)
- Narender Kumar
- Anabela Chiangalala
Institutions
- University of Beira Interior (PT)
- Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra (PT)
- Universidade Politécnica da Guarda (PT)
- Population Council (US)
- Centre for Research and Development (ZW)
- University of Coimbra (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Drug Delivery and Translational Research
- Published
- 2025-06-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-025-01897-7
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.79
Funders
- Universidade da Beira Interior
- European Commission
- Programa Operacional Regional do Centro
- European Regional Development Fund