Recent advancements in the field of nanotechnology for the delivery of anti-Alzheimer drug in the brain region

Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2018 Jun;15(6):589-617. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2018.1471058. Epub 2018 May 17.

Abstract

Introduction: Brain is supposed to be the most complicated part of the body which is very far from the reach of drug moieties. The drug entry in to the brain region depends upon various factors, and among those, the blood-brain-barrier remains the most prominent one. This barrier restricts the entry of almost all the drug and most of the essential biological components like proteins, peptides, etc. and hinders treatment of the CNS disorders. Alzheimer Disease (AD) is one such brain disorder, more specifically a neurodegenerative disorder which primarily affects the older adults.

Areas covered: From solubility enhancement to targeted delivery, the nanoparticulate system became the answer for almost all the criticality related to drug delivery. Hence, nanoparticulate drug carrier system has been widely utilizing to remove the hurdles of brain drug delivery. Keeping this in mind, we have underlined the proficiencies of the nanocarrier systems which claim to improve the drug efficacy for the treatment of the AD.

Expert opinion: The nanotechnological approaches are highly exploited by the researchers to enhance the drug permeation across the BBB to improve its bioavailability and efficacy by protecting the drug from peripheral degradation. However, still in this area of drug targeting provides vast scope for discoveries towards the enhancement of drug efficacy through surface modifications, site specification, reduced toxicity of the nanocarrier system and so on.

Keywords: Alzheimer; BBB; NLC; SLN; lactoferrin; nanotechnology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Biological Transport
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Nanotechnology*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers