Emerging use of bio-nanomaterials for brain pathologies

Nanotechnology arises as a promising platform for targeted drug delivery. Various synthetic polymer or lipid-based nanomaterials, and natural nanocarriers, such as exosomes are being developed to deliver drugs to specific organs. However, drug delivery to the brain is still challenging because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the protective shield that allows only selective substances to reach the brain. This multi-layer passage creates a selective obstacle for drugs directed to treat neurological disorders. Several drug delivery agents, including bio-nanomaterials have shown promising outcomes in overcoming the BBB restriction. Such drug delivery systems improve bioavailability, primarily by enhancing cargo solubility. The bio-nanomaterials can simultaneously deliver multiple agents and offer sustained drug release to protect therapeutic compounds from degradation. Several pre-clinical and clinical trials are currently underway to develop functional nanoparticles that can effectively cross BBB and deliver drugs to brain tissues. This review discusses the advantages of bio-nanomaterials over traditional drug delivery methods and explores their applicability in a wide range of neurological disorders.