Objective: To prepare and characterize polylactic acid (PLA)-α-asarone nanoparticles

then to evaluate the its toxicity to nasal mucosa after intranasal administration. Method: α-Asarone was prepared to PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles by organic solvent evaporation method.The average particle size

drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of α-asarone nanoparticles were used to evaluate process conditions of the nanoparticles.Infrared spectroscopy

differential scanning calorimetry analysis

X-ray diffraction and in vitro dissolution test were researched to analyze the state of α-asarone in the nanoparticles.Nasal mucosa and mucosa cilia pathological were used to evaluate the nasal mucosal toxicity after nasal administration of PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles suspension. Result: The average particle size of PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles was 265.4 nm

polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.038

drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 12.40% and 55.86%

respectively.α-Asarone existed in the nanoparticles in the form of molecular or amorphous state.In vitro release of PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles was biphasic dynamics

which included the immediate-release and sustained-release.PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles had no significant toxicity on nasal mucosa. Conclusion: The results of characterization and nasal mucosal toxicity on PLA-α-asarone nanoparticles prepared by organic solvent evaporation method indicate that the preparation is suitable for intranasal administration.