Current approaches to facilitate improved drug delivery to the central nervous system

Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka; Patrycja Darłak; Agata Markiewicz; Joanna Sikora; Santosh Kumar Adla; Sreelatha Bagina; Kristiina M Huttunen

doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.003

Current approaches to facilitate improved drug delivery to the central nervous system

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2022 Dec:181:249-262. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.003. Epub 2022 Nov 11.

Authors

Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka¹, Patrycja Darłak², Agata Markiewicz³, Joanna Sikora⁴, Santosh Kumar Adla⁵, Sreelatha Bagina⁶, Kristiina M Huttunen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: magdalena.markowicz@umed.lodz.pl.
² Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: patrycja.darlak@stud.umed.lodz.pl.
³ Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: agata.markiewicz1@stud.umed.lodz.pl.
⁴ Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: joanna.sikora@umed.lodz.pl.
⁵ School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: santosh.adla@uef.fi.
⁶ Charles River Discovery Research Services Finland Oy, Neulaniementie 4, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
⁷ School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address: kristiina.huttunen@uef.fi.

PMID: 36372271
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.003

Abstract

Although many pharmaceuticals have therapeutic potentials for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, few of these agents have been effectively administered. It is due to the fact that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSF) restrict them from crossing the brain to exert biological activity. This article reviews the current approaches aiming to improve penetration across these barriers for effective drug delivery to the CNS. These issues are summarized into direct systemic delivery and invasive delivery, including the BBB disruption and convection enhanced delivery. Furthermore, novel drug delivery systems used at the nanoscale, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, dendrimers, and micelles are discussed. These nanocarriers could contribute to a breakthrough in the treatment of many different CNS diseases. However, further broadened studies are needed to assess the biocompatibility and safety of these medical devices.

Keywords: Blood–brain barrier (BBB); Brain-targeted therapy; Central nervous system; Drug delivery system; Nanotechnology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System*
Drug Delivery Systems*