The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing but the efficacy of
treatment is still very limited due to various factors including the blood brain barrier. Recent findings
demonstrated the crucial role of oxidative stress on the pathophysiology of disease. In addition the
burden of blood brain barrier can be overcome by nasal administration and vesicle-carrier mediated
delivery system. Based on the potent antioxidant effect of quercetin and the burden of blood brain
barrier, we hypothesized that the nasal administration of quercetin liposomes could protect against
neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Approach: This study was designed to evaluate the effect
and possible action of nasal administration of quercetin liposomes on neurodegeneration in animal
model of Alzheimer’s disease. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with quercetin liposomes, containing
0.5 mg of quercetin in 20 μL via intranasal route once daily continually for 2 weeks before and 1 week
after AF64A administration. After the quercetin liposomes treatment, the density of neurons and
cholinergic neurons in hippocampus were assessed using histochemical and immunohistochemical
techniques whereas the activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione
Peroxidase (GPx) and Malondialdehide (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, were determined using
biochemical assays. Results: Quercetin liposomes attenuated the degeneration of neurons and
cholinergic neurons in hippocampus. The elevation of SOD, CAT and GPx activities and the reduction
of MDA in hippocampus were also observed. Therefore, the neuroprotective of quercetin liposomes
occurred partly via the reduction of oxidative stress. Conclusion: Our studies suggested that nasal
administration of quercetin liposomes may be the potential novel therapeutic strategy against
Alzheimer’s disease. However, further researches are still essential.