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Recent Advances on Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Brain Drug Delivery
Chihab Ezzaki1, Anas Chaari1, Amani Al-Othman1,2,3
1Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates.
Polymers
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Chitosan-based nanoparticles (CNPs) offer a promising solution for delivering drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to treat neurological disorders. These nanoparticles enhance drug permeability and enable targeted delivery, improving therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Neuroscience
- Biomaterials
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) severely limits drug delivery to the brain for neurological disorder treatment.
- Chitosan-based nanoparticles (CNPs) show potential due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- CNPs can enhance drug permeability across the BBB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the design and application of CNPs for brain-targeted drug delivery.
- To explore mechanisms of CNP-mediated drug transport across the BBB.
- To discuss surface modifications for improved specificity and therapeutic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CNPs for brain drug delivery.
- Analysis of CNP mechanisms: adsorptive-mediated and receptor-mediated endocytosis.
- Discussion of intranasal delivery routes for direct brain targeting.
Main Results:
- CNPs facilitate controlled drug release, enhance stability, and reduce side effects.
- Effective for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain tumors, and ischemic stroke.
- Capable of encapsulating diverse therapeutic agents (drugs, genetic materials).
Conclusions:
- CNPs are effective for brain drug delivery, offering controlled release and stability.
- Intranasal delivery bypasses systemic circulation for direct brain targeting.
- Further research is needed on long-term effects, biodistribution, and clearance of CNPs.
