Management of epileptic disorders using nanotechnology-based strategies for nose-to-brain drug delivery

Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2021 Feb;18(2):169-185. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2021.1823965. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy, a major neurological disorder affects about 1% of the Indian population. The discovery of noninvasive strategies for epilepsy presents a challenge for the scientists. Different types of nose-to-brain dosage-forms have been studied for epilepsy management. It aims to give new perspectives for developing new and existing anti-epileptic drugs. Combining nanotechnology with nose-to-brain approach can help in promoting the treatment efficacy by site-specific delivery. Also, it will minimize the side-effects and patient noncompliance observed in conventional administration routes. Peptide delivery can be an interesting approach for the management of epilepsy. Drug-loaded intranasal nanoformulations exhibit diverse prospective potentials in the management of epilepsy. Considering that, nanotherapy using nose-to-brain delivery as a prospective technique for the efficient management of epilepsy is reviewed.

Areas covered: The authors have compiled all recently available data pertaining to the nose-to-brain delivery of therapeutics using nanotechnological strategies. The fundamental mechanism of nose-to-brain delivery, claims for intranasal delivery and medical devices for epilepsy are discussed.

Expert opinion: Drug-loaded intranasal nanoformulations exhibit different prospective potentials in the management of epilepsy. Considering the foregoing research done in the field of nanotechnology, globally, authors propose nose-to-brain delivery of nanoformulations as a potential technique for the efficient management of epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy; intranasal delivery; nanocarrriers; nanoformulations; nanotechnology; nose-to-brain delivery; seizures.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Brain
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Epilepsy* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nasal Mucosa
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations