A novel nanocomposite Lf-DA-MSN-PF127 aided the delivery of dopamine for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in a rat model.

Dopamine is a pivotal neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, which is instrumental in motor functions. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disorder marked by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the in the midbrain, resulting in the reduction of dopamine levels. Levodopa is a prescribed medicine for symptomatic relief of PD, as it is an amino acid precursor of dopamine that readily crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). However, levodopa exhibits poor plasma bioavailability and limited brain uptake, and induces peripheral side effects. To overcome this biological impediment, we have developed and characterized a lactoferrin-functionalized Pluronic F-127 capped dopamine-loaded mesoporous silica nanocomposite (Lf-DA-MSN-PF127) to furnish dopamine across the BBB. experiments using a rotenone (ROT) induced PD rat model confirmed that Lf-DA-MSN-PF127 crosses the BBB and delivers dopamine. It remarkably boosts motor symptoms and dopamine levels in ROT-induced PD rats. Our study illustrates the nontoxic effect of the Lf-DA-MSN-PF127 nanocomposite and its efficacy in delivering dopamine across the BBB, providing a novel treatment strategy for PD.