Intranasal drug delivery of olanzapine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to investigate olanzapine (OZ) systemic absolute bioavailability after intranasal (i.n.) administration in vivo to conscious rabbits. Furthermore, the study investigated the potential use of chitosan nanoparticles as a delivery system to enhance the systemic bioavailability of olanzapine following intranasal administration. Olanzapine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared through ionotropic gelation of chitosan with tripolyphosphate anions and studied in terms of their size, drug loading, and in vitro release. The OZ nanoparticles were administered i.n. to rabbits, and OZ plasma concentration at predetermined time points was compared to i.n. administration of OZ in solution. The concentrations of OZ in plasma were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (UPLC/MS). OZ-loaded chitosan nanoparticles significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced systemic absorption with 51 ± 11.2% absolute bioavailability as compared to 28 ± 6.7% after i.n. administration of OZ solution. The results of the present study suggest that intranasal administration of OZ-loaded chitosan nanoparticles formulation could be an attractive modality for delivery of OZ systemically.