Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier: Functionalised Chitosan Nanocarriers.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts therapeutic agent entry into the brain, complicating treatment for neurological disorders, particularly brain tumors.
• Chitosan, a polymer, possesses beneficial mucoadhesive and functionalization properties.
• Chitosan-based nanocarriers (CsNCs) are explored for their potential to overcome BBB limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which chitosan-based nanocarriers facilitate drug transport across the blood-brain barrier.
• To discuss strategies for enhancing CsNCs' efficacy in brain drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on chitosan-based nanocarriers and their interaction with the BBB.
• Analysis of adsorptive mediated transcytosis facilitated by CsNCs.
• Examination of structural modifications and ligand conjugations for improved BBB penetration.

Main Results:

• CsNCs interact ionically with endothelial cells, promoting drug transport via adsorptive mediated transcytosis.
• Chitosan's reactive amino and hydroxyl groups enable structural modifications that enhance BBB crossing.
• Ligand-conjugated CsNCs demonstrate significantly improved BBB passage in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan-based nanocarriers represent a promising strategy for improving therapeutic delivery to the brain.
• Functionalization and ligand-targeting of CsNCs are key to optimizing their blood-brain barrier penetration.
• Further research into CsNCs holds potential for advancing brain disorder treatments.