Tarțău Liliana 1, Lupușoru Cătălina Elena 1, Ciubotariu Diana 1, Melnig V. 2
1 Department of Pharmacology, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
2 Department of Physics – COMB Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, “Al. I. Cuza” University, Iasi, Romania
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to evaluate in vivo acute toxicity of original magnesium chloride nanoparticulate formulations and to investigate their effects in cognitive processes in rats. The experiments were carried out on white Wistar rats (200-250g), divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, treated orally (using an eso-gastric device), 7 consecutive daily administration as follows: Group I (Control): distilled water 0,1ml/10g weight; Group II (Mg): magnesium chloride 200mg/kbw; Group III (Mg ves): magnesium chloride 200mg/kbw entrapped in soft vesicles. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from retro-orbital plexus to assess blood count, phagocytic capacity of peripheral neutrophils and serum complement activity, to investigate acute toxicity of the new nanoparticulate formulations. Spatial memory performance was assessed by recording spontaneous alternation behaviour in a single session in Y-maze. Experimental protocols were implemented according to recommendations of the University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. Data were statistically analyzed with SPSS software for Windows version 17.0 and ANOVA one-way method. Results: Laboratory analysis showed no significant differences of blood count, phagocytic capacity of peripheral neutrophils and serum complement activity values, between new carrier formulations that entrapped magnesium chloride in lipid vesicles and non entrapped substance. Research results provided evidence that magnesium chloride entrapped vesicles, significantly increased spontaneous alternation percent in Y-maze test, which suggest the improvement of short-term memory. Conclusions: Biocompatibility evaluation proved that magnesium chloride lipid vesicles may be very suitable for in vivo use in the contexts of drug delivery systems. Oral administration during 7 days of soft vesicles entrapping magnesium chloride, 7 consecutive days administration of magnesium entrapped in lipid vesicles resulted in an enhancement of cognitive functions in rats.