Application of Nanomaterials in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Rosmarinic Acid Trimetallic (Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) Nanoparticles

Newly, green metallic-nanoparticles (NPs) have received scientists' interest due to their wide variable medicinal applications owned to their economical synthesis and biologically compatible nature. In this study, we used rosmarinic acid (RosA) to prepare Cu0.5Zn0.5FeO4 NPs and later encapsulated them using PEG polymer. Characterization of NPs was done using the XRD method and SEM imaging. Further, we explored the encapsulated NPs for anti-inflammatory properties by downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Besides, employing DPPH, NO and ABTS radical scavenging assays to examine the antioxidant activity of the synthesized Cu0.5Zn0.5FeO4 NPs. Cu0.5Zn0.5FeO4 NPs revealed moderate antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH and nitric oxide. We demonstrated that the NPs showed high potential anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner, in LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells. To our best knowledge, this is the first report where RosA was found to be a suitable phyto source for the green synthesis of Cu0.5Zn0.5FeO4 NPs and their in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that the RosA is a green resource for the eco-friendly synthesis of Cu0.5Zn0.5FeO4/PEG NPs, which further can be employed as a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

The Advances and Biomedical Applications of Imageable Nanomaterials

Nanomedicine shows great potential in screening, diagnosing and treating diseases. However, given the limitations of current technology, detection of some smaller lesions and drugs’ dynamic monitoring still need to be improved. With the advancement of nanotechnology, researchers have produced various nanomaterials with imaging capabilities which have shown great potential in biomedical research. Here, we summarized the researches based on the characteristics of imageable nanomaterials, highlighted the advantages and biomedical applications of imageable nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and discussed current challenges and prospects.

2D materials-based nanomedicine: From discovery to applications

Due to their unique physicochemical characteristics, 2D materials have attracted more and more attention in the biomedicine field. Currently, 2D materials-based nanomedicines have been extensively applied in various diseases including cancer, bacterial infection, tissue engineering, biological protection, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease. Depending on their various characteristics, these 2D nanomedicines exert their therapeutic effect in different ways, showing great clinical application prospects. Herein, we focus on the various biomedical applications of 2D materials-based nanomedicine. The structures and characteristics of several typical 2D nanomaterials with different configurations and their corresponding biomedical applications are first introduced. Then, the potential of 2D nanomedicines on therapeutic and imaging and their biological functionalization are discussed. Furthermore, the therapeutic potentials of 2D nanomedicines in various diseases are also comprehensively summarized. At last, the challenges and perspectives for the advancement of 2D nanomedicines in clinical transformation are outlooks.

Drug Delivery Systems and Strategies to Overcome the Barriers of Brain

The transport of drugs to the central nervous system is the most challenging task for conventional drug delivery systems. Reduced permeability of drugs through the blood-brain barrier is a major hurdle in delivering drugs to the brain. Hence, various strategies for improving drug delivery through the blood-brain barrier are currently being explored. Novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) offer several advantages, including high chemical and biological stability, suitability for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs, and can be administered through different routes. Furthermore, the conjugation of suitable ligands with these carriers tend to potentiate targeting to the endothelium of the brain and could facilitate the internalization of drugs through endocytosis. Further, the intranasal route has also shown potential, as a promising alternate route, for the delivery of drugs to the brain. This can deliver the drugs directly to the brain through the olfactory pathway. In recent years, several advancements have been made to target and overcome the barriers of the brain. This article deals with a detailed overview of the diverse strategies and delivery systems to overcome the barriers of the brain for effective delivery of drugs.

Neurodegenerative disorders management: state-of-art and prospects of nano-biotechnology

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are highly prevalent among the aging population. It affects primarily the central nervous system (CNS) but the effects are also observed in the peripheral nervous system. Neural degeneration is a progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, which may ultimately involve cell death. Such patients suffer from debilitating memory loss and altered motor coordination which bring up non-affordable and unavoidable socio-economic burdens. Due to the unavailability of specific therapeutics and diagnostics, the necessity to control or manage NDs raised the demand to investigate and develop efficient alternative approaches. Keeping trends and advancements in view, this report describes both state-of-the-art and challenges in nano-biotechnology-based approaches to manage NDs, toward personalized healthcare management. Sincere efforts are being made to customize nano-theragnostics to control: therapeutic cargo packaging, delivery to the brain, nanomedicine of higher efficacy, deep brain stimulation, implanted stimulation, and managing brain cell functioning. These advancements are useful to design future therapy based on the severity of the patient's neurodegenerative disease. However, we observe a lack of knowledge shared among scientists of a variety of expertise to explore this multi-disciplinary research field for NDs management. Consequently, this review will provide a guideline platform that will be useful in developing novel smart nano-therapies by considering the aspects and advantages of nano-biotechnology to manage NDs in a personalized manner. Nano-biotechnology-based approaches have been proposed as effective and affordable alternatives at the clinical level due to recent advancements in nanotechnology-assisted theragnostics, targeted delivery, higher efficacy, and minimal side effects.

Nanoparticles approaches in neurodegenerative diseases diagnosis and treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that neurodegenerative diseases will be the biggest health issues of the twenty-first century. Among these, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases can be considered as the most acute incurable neurological diseases. Researchers are studying and developing a new treatment approach that uses nanotechnology to diagnosis and treatment neurodegenerative diseases. This treatment strategy will be used to regress neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of reduced brain function, which causes many devastating complications. Current neurodegenerative diseases treatment protocols only help to treat symptoms nevertheless with nanotechnology approaches, can regress nerve cells apoptosis, reduce inflammation, and improve brain drug delivery. In this paper, new nanotechnology methods such as nanobodies, nano-antibodies, and lipid nanoparticles have been investigated. Correspondingly blood-brain barrier drug delivery improvement methods have been suggested.