Advances in Nano-Enabled Platforms for the Treatment of Depression

Abstract

Nanotechnology has aided in the advancement of drug delivery for the treatment of several neurological disorders including depression. Depression is a relatively common mental disorder which is characterized by a severe imbalance of neurotransmitters. Several current therapeutic regimens against depression display drawbacks which include low bioavailability, delayed therapeutic outcome, undesirable side effects and drug toxicity due to high doses. The blood–brain barrier limits the entry of the drugs into the brain matrix, resulting in low bioavailability and tissue damage due to drug accumulation. Due to their size and physico-chemical properties, nanotechnological drug delivery systems present a promising strategy to enhance the delivery of nanomedicines into the brain matrix, thereby improving bioavailability and limiting toxicity. Furthermore, ligand-complexed nanocarriers can improve drug specificity and antidepressant efficacy and reduce drug toxicity. Biopolymers and nanocarriers can also be employed to enhance controlled drug release and reduce the hepatic first-pass effect, hence reducing the dosing frequency. This manuscript reviews recent advances in different biopolymers, such as polysaccharides and other nanocarriers, for targeted antidepressant drug delivery to the brain. It probes nano-based strategies that can be employed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants through the oral, intranasal, and parenteral routes of administration.

Melanin-like polydopamine nanoparticles mediating anti-inflammatory and rescuing synaptic loss for inflammatory depression therapy

“…Compared with other studies, the components of PDA NPs are relatively simple and can be prepared by the simplest one-step synthesis method. In addition, for such a carrier-free drug delivery system, we did not need to consider the cell damage caused by nanocarriers degradation [ 26 ]. Moreover, PDA NPs show good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo, which has been well demonstrated in many other literatures [ 31 – 33 ].…”

“…Nanoparticles have been reported with the ability to cross BBB and achieve brain drug delivery [ 22 – 24 ]. Furthermore, the slow release of these nano drugs effectively reduces the dosing frequency, thereby limiting adverse side effects of traditional drugs [ 25 , 26 ]. Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs), a melanin analogue formed by the self-polymerization of dopamine, have been widely used in the biomedical field ascribed to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well as many unique chemical properties [ 27 – 29 ].…”

A Review of Non-Invasive Drug Delivery through Respiratory Routes

“…The time it takes for a drug to reach its saturation point is often prolonged, resulting in delayed and reduced efficacy. In addition, due to low bioavailability, higher doses need to be ingested, leading to an increased incidence of side effects [66]. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect is also limited due to the presence of the BBB.…”

Nanoparticles-based delivery system and its potentials in treating central nervous system disorders

“…Understanding the precise metabolic mechanisms of brain capillary endothelial cells and neurons is of considerable importance [115], because it would provide new targets to inspire new nanocarrier designs. Like research on endocytosis mechanisms, especially those focusing on receptor-mediated endocytosis, which have already been an indispensable pool of inspiration, breakthroughs in biochemistry and molecular biology will undoubtedly lead us closer to successful application [116]. In the coming years, it will be possible to have safe, efficient, and reliable nanocarriers for clinical use.…”