Zebrafish: A Promising Real-Time Model System for Nanotechnology-Mediated Neurospecific Drug Delivery

Abstract

Delivering drugs to the brain has always remained a challenge for the research community and physicians. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) acts as a major hurdle for delivering drugs to specific parts of the brain and the central nervous system. It is physiologically comprised of complex network of capillaries to protect the brain from any invasive agents or foreign particles. Therefore, there is an absolute need for understanding of the BBB for successful therapeutic interventions. Recent research indicates the strong emergence of zebrafish as a model for assessing the permeability of the BBB, which is highly conserved in its structure and function between the zebrafish and mammals. The zebrafish model system offers a plethora of advantages including easy maintenance, high fecundity and transparency of embryos and larvae. Therefore, it has the potential to be developed as a model for analysing and elucidating the permeability of BBB to novel permeation technologies with neurospecificity. Nanotechnology has now become a focus area within the industrial and research community for delivering drugs to the brain. Nanoparticles are being developed with increased efficiency and accuracy for overcoming the BBB and delivering neurospecific drugs to the brain. The zebrafish stands as an excellent model system to assess nanoparticle biocompatibility and toxicity. Hence, the zebrafish model is indispensable for the discovery or development of novel technologies for neurospecific drug delivery and potential therapies for brain diseases.

Novel use of FDA-approved drugs identified by cluster analysis of behavioral profiles

“…Drug repurposing is a particularly powerful approach for small-molecule treatment of neural disorders. Small-molecules are more likely to pass the blood–brain barrier than protein-based biologics, which are typically excluded from the brain 6 , 7 . In addition, many molecular targets located in visceral systems are also present in the brain.…”

Chrysin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticle-Mediated Neuroprotection in Aβ1–42-Induced Neurodegenerative Conditions in Zebrafish

“…26 Apart from the optical transparency of the embryos, the zebrafish have several other advantages like easy maintenance, high fecundity, external development, and genetic malleability, which make it a much better model system as compared to the rodent and mammalian models. 27 They stand as an intermediate link between the smaller invertebrate models and the robust classical mammalian models. The zebrafish exhibit a great deal of neurological and neurochemical similarity with mammals.…”

“…Its potent role in the field of neurodegeneration has been focused on only very recently . Apart from the optical transparency of the embryos, the zebrafish have several other advantages like easy maintenance, high fecundity, external development, and genetic malleability, which make it a much better model system as compared to the rodent and mammalian models . They stand as an intermediate link between the smaller invertebrate models and the robust classical mammalian models.…”

Developmental Toxicity of Surface-Modified Gold Nanorods in the Zebrafish Model

“… 2 Moreover, using this model, real-time and non-invasive tracking of drugs’ bio-distribution is possible. 6 The zebrafish model is valuable for nanoparticle studies due to the ease of nanoparticle exposure without the need for injection. 7 …”

“…bio-distribution is possible. 6 The zebrafish model is valuable for nanoparticle studies due to the ease of nanoparticle exposure without the need for injection. 7 Several studies regarding drug delivery, toxicity, and biodistribution of nanomaterials have been conducted in the literature using the zebrafish model.…”