Enhanced Intranasal Delivery of Atorvastatin via Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide-Loaded Nanocarriers: Cytotoxicity and Inflammation Evaluation and In Vivo, In Silico, and Network Pharmacology Study for Targeting Glioblastoma Management.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to develop an intranasal (IN) delivery system for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) management using repurposed superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPION) loaded with atorvastatin (ATO)-nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). Methods: Emulsification and ultrasonication were used to formulate ATO-NLCs, and the best formula was loaded with SPION to make the final atorvastatin/superparamagnetic iron oxide-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (ASN) formulation. Entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and drug release after 6 h (Q6h) were evaluated for NLCs. ASN was tested for cytotoxicity on T98G cancer cells, and the cell cycle was examined to determine cell death. Furthermore, the ability of the optimal formulation to suppress the levels of inflammatory biomarkers was investigated in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. The brain-targeting behavior of IN-ASN was visualized in rabbits via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: The optimum NLC exhibited a spherical shape, EE% of 84.0 ± 0.67%, PS of 282.50 ± 0.51 nm, ZP of -18.40 ± 0.15 mV, and Q6h of 89.23%. The cytotoxicity of ASN against cancer cells was 4.4-fold higher than ATO suspension, with a 1.3-fold increment in cell apoptosis. ASN showed significantly reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-β, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR4, NF-қB), whereas CLSM revealed enhanced brain delivery with no observed histopathological nasal irritation. The in silico analysis demonstrated enhanced ATO-ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties, while the network pharmacology study identified 10 target GBM genes, among which MAPK3 was the most prominent with a good binding score as elucidated by the simulated docking study. Conclusions: These findings may present ATO/SPION-NLCs as significant evidence for repurposing atorvastatin in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.