Carbon Nano Tubes: Novel Drug Delivery System in Amelioration of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder manifested with symptoms like loss of memory (known as dementia), personality changes, loss of cognition, impaired movement, confusion, deteriorated planning and thought process. Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease is the result of deposition of protein beta-amyloid that forms plaques and another protein called tau, forming tangles that prevent proper functioning of nerve cells in the brain. Methods: The goal of the review was to comprehensively study the utilization of nanotechnology and the role that carbon nanotubes can play as a drug delivery system for amelioration of Alzheimer’s disease. Results: Nanotechnology is one of the most researched domains of modern science. It contributes significantly to therapeutics by facilitating drug therapy to reach the target sites, which are otherwise difficult to reach with conventional drug delivery systems. Carbon nanotubes are the allotropes of carbon in which several carbon atoms bind with each other to form a cylindrical or a tube-like structure. The carbon nanotubes possess several unique qualities, which confers them with a high potential of being utilized as an efficient drug delivery system. They offer high drug loading, can readily cross the toughest biological barriers like BBB. Carbon nanotubes also facilitate the passage of drugs to the brain via the olfactory route, which further helps in restoring normal autophagy, thus preventing the elimination of autophagic chemicals. They can carry a vast range of cargos, including drugs, antigens, genetic materials, and biological macromolecules. Conclusion: Carbon nanotubes are highly promising drug delivery system for anti-Alzheimer’s drugs. They have potential of overcoming the various biological barriers like BBB. However, more extensive research is required so as to set up a firm base for development of advanced commercial products based on carbon nanotubes for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Current emerging novel therapies for Alzheimer's disease and the future prospects of magneto-mechanical force therapy

“…80 Recently, CNTs have been used for AD treatment through inhibiting amyloid fibrillation, disintegratingamyloid fibrils, and promoting the clearance of amyloid plaques. 81 They possess the ability to absorb various large and small biomolecules on their surface, which further inhibits amyloid fibrilization. 81,82 Besides, it has also been found that CNT could change the lag phase time required for nucleus formation, elongation, and saturation of amyloid fibrils.…”

“…81 They possess the ability to absorb various large and small biomolecules on their surface, which further inhibits amyloid fibrilization. 81,82 Besides, it has also been found that CNT could change the lag phase time required for nucleus formation, elongation, and saturation of amyloid fibrils. 82 Therefore, CNT-based drug delivery strategies show potential for future AD treatment.…”

Recent progress of nanomedicine in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

“…Genetic material can be delivered to the nucleus and cells with high efficiency using carbon nanotubes. The few studies on CNTs for AD treatment are still in the early stages and need to be further tested for their ability to cross the BBB ( Garalleh, 2018 ; Mishra et al, 2021 ). However, CNTs can be used as biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity to detect Aβ in human serum, particularly Aβ42 and Aβ40 peptides ( Chen et al, 2022 ).…”

Towards Modern-Age Advanced Sensors for the Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Current Status, Challenges and Prospects

“…conductivity. 47 On the other hand, the electrode surface can be functionalized for better transducer signals by electro-spun nanofibers or metallic nanoparticles, which create binding sites for the immobilization of biomarkers or recognition elements. 48 Nowadays, we have molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), which filters out noise and interacts only with the target analyte to enhance the sensor's selectivity.…”