Synthesis and characterization of fullerene-based nanocarrier for targeted delivery of quercetin to the brain

Aim: Preparation of quercetin fullerene conjugate (QFC) for nose-to-brain delivery and their in vitro and ex vivo characterizations. Methods: Carboxylated fullerene was converted into acetylated fullerene and quercetin was conjugated and physically adsorbed on acetylated fullerene. Results: The particle size and zeta potential of QFC and chitosan-coated QFC (CC-QFC) were found to be 179.2 +/- 1.10, 293.4 +/- 2.757, -5.28 +/- 1.43 and 11.6 +/- 0.4 respectively. The entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency of QFC were found to be 85.55% and 42.77%. The MTT assay revealed 80.69% SH-SY5Y cell viability at a concentration of 50 mu g/ml. CC-QFC showed remarkable (89.20%) ex vivo mucoadhesive properties compared with QFC (66.67%). Further study showed no significant ciliotoxicity by CC-QFC. Conclusion: The obtained results suggested the potential of CC-QFC for treatment in Alzheimer's disease.