Nanocarriers as Potential Drug Delivery Candidates for Overcoming the Blood–Brain Barrier: Challenges and Possibilities

Abstract

The design of a drug that successfully overcomes the constraints imposed by the blood−brain barrier (BBB, which acts as a gatekeeper to the entry of substances into the brain) requires an understanding of the biological firewall. It is also of utmost importance to understand the physicochemical properties of the said drug and how it engages the BBB to avoid undesired side effects. Since fewer than 5% of the tested molecules can pass through the BBB, drug development pertaining to brain-related disorders takes inordinately long to develop. Furthermore, in most cases it is also unsuccessful for allied reasons. Several drug delivery systems (DDSs) have shown excellent potential in drug delivery across the BBB while demonstrating minimal side effects. This mini-review summarizes key features of the BBB, recapitulates recent advances in our understanding of the BBB, and highlights existing strategies for the delivery of drug to the brain parenchyma.

Research on the fate of polymeric nanoparticles in the process of the intestinal absorption based on model nanoparticles with various characteristics: size, surface charge and pro-hydrophobics

“…Polymer nanoparticles have many advantages over other delivery platforms. Compared with single-unit preparations, multiarticulate systems such as nanoparticles are more evenly distributed in the gastrointestinal tract, which results in more uniform drug absorption and reduced risk of local irritation [ 18 , 19 ]. Nanoparticle size is thought to be a key parameter as microparticles larger than 10 μm are unable to penetrate the mucus layer.…”

Preparation of PLA/chitosan nanoscaffolds containing cod liver oil and experimental diabetic wound healing in male rats study

“…In recent years, new drug delivery systems such as nanofibers [34], nanoparticles [35], cell therapy, and stem cell [36] being used as alternative therapies for common pharmaceutical methods, which could reduce the need for continuous follow-up of the disease and increase the quality of treatment, have received great attention [37]. Nanotechnology has solved many concerns in the field of medicine due to dealing with materials that have unique properties on their surface [38][39][40][41][42][43]. Chitosan structures have a good crosslink structure for encapsulating drugs [44] and polylactic acid possesses properties such as the ability to form hydrogels in physiological conditions [45], mild gel degradation for a wound to heal successfully, and the growth and movement of nutrients [46].…”

Nanotechnology in emerging liquid biopsy applications

“…Moreover, nanomaterials are good candidates for drug delivery even to the most complicated organs, such as the brain. Their specific advantages in this respect relate to the delivery of hydrophobic drugs, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, controlled drug dose and release at a specific location, which eliminates the toxic effects of the drugs [ 16 ]. As a result, there are numerous successful applications of nanoparticles both in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics and in the combination of these two (theranostics) [ 17 ] and several deliverable nano-systems, such as graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles, MnO 2 nanoparticles and metal–organic-frameworks, have been successfully utilized for intracellular detection [ 18 ].…”