1*PhD Research Scholar, Department of Pharmacology, MET's Institute of Pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Adgaon, Nashik, India
Email: thitedivya81@gmail.com
2Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, MET's Institute of Pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Adgaon, Nashik, India
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, and neuronal degeneration. Natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are being explored for neuroprotection. Formononetin, a naturally occurring isoflavone, has shown promising neuroprotective potential. However, its therapeutic effectiveness is limited due to poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. The present study aimed to develop a nanosuspension of formononetin to enhance its bioavailability and evaluate its neuroprotective effect in Aluminium chloride-induced experimental Alzheimer's disease in rats.
Materials and Methods: Formononetin nanosuspension was prepared by the precipitation method using poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as a polymer and polyvinyl alcohol as a stabilizer. The optimized formulation was evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, and entrapment efficiency. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Alzheimer's disease was induced using aluminium chloride (1 mg/kg). Treatment groups received formononetin nanosuspension (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) intranasally for 21 days, while the standard group received donepezil (1 mg/kg). Behavioral tests including Morris water maze, Y-maze, novel object recognition, and passive avoidance tests were performed. Biochemical parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological examination of brain tissues were also evaluated.
Results: The optimized nanosuspension showed particle size in the nanometer range with high entrapment efficiency (80–95%). Aluminium chloride significantly impaired learning and memory in rats. Treatment with formononetin nanosuspension significantly improved cognitive performance, increased antioxidant enzyme levels, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, and decreased inflammatory markers. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced neuronal degeneration and improved hippocampal structure, particularly at the 40 mg/kg dose, showing effects comparable to donepezil.
Conclusion: Formononetin nanosuspension exhibited significant neuroprotective effects against aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer's disease by improving cognitive function and reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords: Formononetin, Nanosuspension, Alzheimer's disease, Neuroprotection, Oxidative stress, Intranasal delivery, PLGA.
How to cite this article: Thite DG, Dashputre NL. Development and Evaluation of Formononetin Nanoformulation for Neuroprotection in Aluminium Chloride-Induced Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(9s): 47-56; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.9s.6
Source of support: None
Conflict of interest: None