Current insights on lipid nanocarrier-assisted drug delivery in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Teixeira, MI (Author) Other; Lopes, CM (Author) Other; Maria Helena Amaral (Author) FFUP; Paulo Costa (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

Vol. 149

Pages: 192-217

ISSN: 0939-6411

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-SRV

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.01.005

Abstract (EN): The central nervous system (CNS) is vulnerable to pathologic processes that lead to the development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, Multiple sclerosis or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These are chronic and progressive pathologies characterized by the loss of neurons and the formation of misfolded proteins. Additionally, neurodegenerative diseases are accompanied by a structural and functional dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although serving as a protection for the CNS, the existence of physiological barriers, especially the BBB, limits the access of several therapeutic agents to the brain, constituting a major hindrance in neurotherapeutics advancement. In this regard, nanotechnologybased approaches have arisen as a promising strategy to not only improve drug targeting to the brain, but also to increase bioavailability. Lipid nanocarriers such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), microemulsions and nanoemulsions, have already proven their potential for enhancing brain transport, crossing more easily into the CNS and allowing the administration of medicines that could benefit the treatment of neurological pathologies. Given the socioeconomic impact of such conditions and the advent of nanotechnology that inevitably leads to more effective and superior therapeutics for their management, it is imperative to constantly update on the current knowledge of these topics. Herein, we provide insight on the BBB and the pathophysiology of the main neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, this review seeks to highlight the several approaches that can be used to improve the delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS, while also offering an extensive overview of the latest efforts regarding the use of lipid-based nanocarriers in the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 26