Current and Future Nano-Carrier-Based Approaches in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

It is a very alarming situation for the globe because 55 million humans are estimated to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) worldwide, and still it is increasing at the rapid speed of 10 million cases per year worldwide. This is an urgent reminder for better research and treatment due to the unavailability of a permanent medication for neurodegenerative disorders like AD. The lack of drugs for neurodegenerative disorder treatment is due to the complexity of the structure of the brain, mainly due to blood–brain barrier, because blood–brain drug molecules must enter the brain compartment. There are several novel and conventional formulation approaches that can be employed for the transportation of drug molecules to the target site in the brain, such as oral, intravenous, gene delivery, surgically implanted intraventricular catheter, nasal and liposomal hydrogels, and repurposing old drugs. A drug’s lipophilicity influences metabolic activity in addition to membrane permeability because lipophilic substances have a higher affinity for metabolic enzymes. As a result, the higher a drug’s lipophilicity is, the higher its permeability and metabolic clearance. AD is currently incurable, and the medicines available merely cure the symptoms or slow the illness’s progression. In the next 20 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that neurodegenerative illnesses affecting motor function will become the second-leading cause of mortality. The current article provides a brief overview of recent advances in brain drug delivery for AD therapy.

Selenization of Small Molecule Drugs: A New Player on the Board

“…218,219 Despite its good patient tolerance and favorable pharmacokinetic and metabolic profile, it is associated with mild side effects in the nervous system or the gastrointestinal tract. 220,221 Thus, exploring novel therapeutic agents is an urgent need to overcome the drawbacks of this drug. In this regard, the fusion of the pivotal pharmacophores of ebselen and donepezil has led to a series of selenocompounds (Figure 17).…”

“…Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are of paramount importance in the treatment of AD. One of these drugs is donepezil, which inhibits this enzyme in a noncompetitive, reversible, and selective way. , Despite its good patient tolerance and favorable pharmacokinetic and metabolic profile, it is associated with mild side effects in the nervous system or the gastrointestinal tract. , Thus, exploring novel therapeutic agents is an urgent need to overcome the drawbacks of this drug. In this regard, the fusion of the pivotal pharmacophores of ebselen and donepezil has led to a series of selenocompounds (Figure ).…”

Manejo Farmacológico De Pacientes Com Doença De Alzheimer: Revisão Narrativa Da Literatura

“…A memantina é um antagonista não competitivo dos receptores N-metil-D-aspartato (NMDA), permitindo sua ativação fisiológica durante os processos de formação da memória, porém bloqueando a abertura dos canais e sua ativação em situações patológicas. Estudos recentes demonstram que, inicialmente, o tratamento começa com uma dose de 7 mg/dia e gradualmente aumenta até que a dose alvo seja alcançada, em torno de 28 mg/dia (KUMAR, A. et al, 2023).…”

Piperidine: A Versatile Heterocyclic Ring for Developing Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

“…This disorder is brought on by the loss of certain dopamine-producing neurons. 6 Monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors cure various types of depression and other nervous system diseases, such as panic disorder, social phobia, and depression with atypical symptoms, in contrast to conventional antidepressants. 7 Genetic, environmental, and endogenous aging-related factors are considered to be the principal basic mechanisms causing neurodegeneration.…”

“…PD is another neurological illness that is characterized by tremors, muscular stiffness, and sluggish movement. This disorder is brought on by the loss of certain dopamine-producing neurons . Monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors cure various types of depression and other nervous system diseases, such as panic disorder, social phobia, and depression with atypical symptoms, in contrast to conventional antidepressants …”