Epilepsy Disease and Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Polymeric Nanoparticles: An Overview

Abstract

Epilepsy is the fourth most common global neurological problem, which can be considered a spectrum disorder because of its various causes, seizure types, its ability to vary in severity and the impact from person to person, as well as its range of co-existing conditions. The approaches to drug therapy of epilepsy are directed at the control of symptoms by chronic administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). These AEDs are administered orally or intravenously but alternative routes of administration are needed to overcome some important limits. Intranasal (IN) administration represents an attractive route because it is possible to reach the brain bypassing the blood brain barrier while the drug avoids first-pass metabolism. It is possible to obtain an increase in patient compliance for the easy and non-invasive route of administration. This route, however, has some drawbacks such as mucociliary clearance and the small volume that can be administered, in fact, only drugs that are efficacious at low doses can be considered. The drug also needs excellent aqueous solubility or must be able to be formulated using solubilizing agents. The use of nanomedicine formulations able to encapsulate active molecules represents a good strategy to overcome several limitations of this route and of conventional drugs. The aim of this review is to discuss the innovative application of nanomedicine for epilepsy treatment using nose-to-brain delivery with particular attention focused on polymeric nanoparticles to load drugs.

Recent Advancements of Nanomedicine in Neurodegenerative Disorders Theranostics

“…are being used for the effective delivery of drugs for epilepsy treatment. [ 130 ] For example, thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) comprising polymeric NPs have been introduced into the amygdala of kindled rats of epilepsy. [ 131 ] Yusuf et al showed that PLGA NPs of β‐carotene surface coated with polysorbate‐80 enhanced antioxidant and anticonvulsant effect in animal models of seizures.…”

“…[ 132 ] Similarly, in another recent study, Musumeci et al showed that oxcarbazepine loaded PLGA NPs improved its effect when compared to parent oxcarbazepine in epileptic seizures in rodents. [ 130c ] In 2019, Han and coworkers explored monocytes as magnetic NP carriers for epileptic inflammation tracking diseased rat brain. [ 133 ] Portnoy et al, in 2016, used bifunctional fluorescent magnetic NPs for tracking inflammation in epileptic rat brain.…”

“…[ 136 ] For interested readers, we also provide detailed discussion on drug delivery by NPs for the disease management. [ 91b,129b,130a,137 ] It is evident from these examples that nanomedicine based therapy has all the promises to ameliorate standard of living for patients affected by epilepsy.…”

Intranasal Topiramate Polymeric Nanoparticles for Epilepsy: In Vitro and Ex-Vivo Investigation

“…Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, and sometimes loss of consciousness [1,2]. Although, oral route of administration is most convenient for the treatment of epilepsy, has an insignificant role in the treatment of acute epileptic attack due to delayed absorption when given orally.…”

Nose-to-Brain Delivery

“…These reviews include the more recent developments in the area of nose-to-brain delivery, relevant literature is present in their references, they add new contributions in the area. Musumeci et al wrote an interesting review regarding the use of polymeric nanoparticles for the nose-to-brain delivery in the therapy of epilepsy [7]. Epilepsy is one of the most common global neurological diseases.…”