INTRODUCTION: Migraine has recently become a major interest to the 
neuroscientists. Zolmitriptan is an effective medicine used in the treatment of 
migraine. The nasal spray was prepared from Zolmitriptan loaded chitosan 
nanoparticles and evaluated for pharmacokinetic properties.
METHODS: In this study male Wistar albino rats weighing between 200 and 250 g 
were taken and divided into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group. Nasal spray 
containing Zolmitriptan loaded Chitosan nanoparticles were administered nasally 
(using specific inhalation mask) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg as a test formulation 
and compared with the control groups which received either water for injection 
or marketed standard drug (Zolmist) or standard drug solution at a same dose. 
The pharmacokinetic parameters such as Cmax, Tmax, and brain tissue analyses for 
accumulation of drug were performed for Zolmitriptan by LC-MS method.
RESULTS: Amount of drug in the plasma from the test formulation, standard 
marketed drug (Zolmist) and standard drug solution was found to be 41.37 ± 2.31, 
34.76 ± 4.22 and 23.74 ± 2.42 ng/ml at 10 min respectively, which indicated 
significantly (p < 0.05) greater amount of drug being delivered from the test 
formulation compared to the both standard groups. The amount of the drug 
(Zolmitriptan) present in brain tissue (Olfactory lobe) was found to be 
15 ± 0.08, 13 ± 0.14 and 8 ± 0.13 ng/g at 60 min for test formulation, marketed 
standard and standard drug solution respectively which indicates significantly 
(p < 0.05) higher amount of drug absorption in brain tissue from the test 
formulation compared to both the standard groups.
CONCLUSION: Pharmacokinetics studies of nasal spray containing Zolmitriptan 
loaded chitosan nanoparticles proved rapid onset of action in animals and is 
promising in treatment of migraine.