Formulation Development and Characterization of Withaferin-A Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease the most common form of dementia in the elderly is a neurodegenerative disease that affects 44 million of people worldwide. The first treatments against Alzheimer’s disease are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; however, these medications are associated with many side effects. Withania somnifera is a traditional herb widely used to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and for memory improvement. Withaferin-A was isolated and loaded with PLGA nanoparticles using solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, loading efficiency, and in vitro drug release studies. The average size of developed formulation was found to be 121 ± 2 nm, and zeta potential was found to be − 25 mV. Drug loading efficiency of formulation was found to have 54% at 500 μg/ml concentration of Withaferin-A. Particles were spherical in shape. A steady release of Withaferin-A was observed from the nanoparticle. Withaferin-A could be a good alternative choice for neurodegenerative diseases.