Amphiphilic Nanocarrier Systems for Curcumin Delivery in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases have become a major challenge for public health because of their incurable status. Soft nanotechnology provides potential for slowing down the progression of neurodegenerative disorders by using innovative formulations of neuroprotective antioxidants like curcumin, resveratrol, vitamin E, rosmarinic acid, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, coenzyme Q10, and fish oil. Curcumin is a natural, liposoluble compound, which is of considerable interest for nanomedicine development in combination therapies. The neuroprotective effects of combination treatments can involve restorative mechanisms against oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and protein aggregation. Despite the anti-amyloid and anti-tau potential of curcumin and its neurogenesis-stimulating properties, the utilization of this antioxidant as a drug in neuroregenerative therapies has huge limitations due to its poor water solubility, physico-chemical instability, and low oral bioavailability. We highlight the developments of soft lipid-and polymer-based delivery carriers of curcumin, which help improve the drug solubility and stability. We specifically focus on amphiphilic liquid crystalline nanocarriers (cubosome, hexosome, spongosome, and liposome particles) for the encapsulation of curcumin with the purpose of halting the progressive neuronal loss in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Recent Uses of Lipid Nanoparticles, Cell-Penetrating and Bioactive Peptides for the Development of Brain-Targeted Nanomedicines against Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Lipid-based nanocarriers, which have been utilized in the fabrication of anti-COVID-19 vaccines with high efficacy and success, are drawing considerable attention [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. Such nanoparticles may facilitate the drug transport across the BBB and enable the efficient delivery of therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disorders [59][60][61][62][63]. Functionalized nanoparticles offer advantages in prolonging the residence time of therapeutic agents at the BBB and enhancing their penetration [9,[20][21][22][23].…”

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs): An Advanced Drug Delivery System Targeting Brain through BBB

“…Furthermore, nanoparticle properties can be improved by enhancing their ability to penetrate through several anatomical barriers, releasing the drug content in sustained manner and maintaining their particle size. Most importantly, polymeric nanoparticles of a biocompatible and biodegradable nature are of essential interest for target-specific drug delivery [ 38 ]. To date, limited numbers of polymers have received regulatory approval for use in clinics.…”