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Published on: July 6, 2019
Use of Biodegradable, Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Eniko Manek1, Ferenc Darvas2, Georg A Petroianu1
1College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi POB 12 77 88, UAE.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 24 million people worldwide and represents an immense medical, social and economic burden. While a vast array of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is available for the prevention and possibly treatment of AD, applicability is limited by the selective nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as by their severe peripheral side effects. A promising solution to these problems is the incorporation of anti-Alzheimer drugs in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). However, while several polymeric NPs are nontoxic and biocompatible, many of them are not biodegradable and thus not appropriate for CNS-targeting. Among polymeric nanocarriers, chitosan-based NPs emerge as biodegradable yet stable vehicles for the delivery of CNS medications. Furthermore, due to their mucoadhesive character and intrinsic bioactivity, chitosan NPs can not only promote brain penetration of drugs via the olfactory route, but also act as anti-Alzheimer therapeutics themselves. Here we review how chitosan-based NPs could be used to address current challenges in the treatment of AD; with a specific focus on the enhancement of blood-brain barrier penetration of anti-Alzheimer drugs and on the reduction of their peripheral side effects.
Insights
Chitosan nanoparticles offer a biodegradable solution for delivering Alzheimer's disease (AD) drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), potentially reducing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health burden, with current treatments limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and peripheral side effects.
- Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are explored for drug delivery, but many lack biodegradability, hindering central nervous system (CNS) applications.
- Chitosan-based NPs present a biodegradable and biocompatible alternative for CNS drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of chitosan-based nanoparticles (NPs) for improving Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment.
- To highlight chitosan NPs' ability to enhance the penetration of anti-AD drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- To explore the reduction of peripheral side effects associated with anti-AD medications delivered via chitosan NPs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on chitosan-based nanoparticles for drug delivery.
- Analysis of chitosan NP properties, including biodegradability, mucoadhesion, and bioactivity.
- Focus on strategies for enhancing BBB penetration and reducing peripheral toxicity of anti-AD drugs using chitosan NPs.
Main Results:
- Chitosan NPs are biodegradable, stable, and mucoadhesive, facilitating drug transport across the BBB, particularly via the olfactory pathway.
- Chitosan NPs possess intrinsic bioactivity, potentially acting as therapeutic agents against AD themselves.
- Incorporation into chitosan NPs can improve the delivery of existing anti-AD drugs, overcoming BBB limitations and reducing systemic side effects.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan-based nanoparticles are a promising platform for developing more effective Alzheimer's disease therapies.
- These NPs can overcome critical challenges in CNS drug delivery, including BBB penetration and peripheral toxicity.
- Further research into chitosan NPs could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
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