Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Overcoming the Blood–Brain Barrier
Ekata Nivas Desai, Jameel Ahmed S Mulla, Satyajeet Ramesh Jagdale
Abstract:
The fact that the central nervous system (CNS) disorders are treated is a critical problem because of the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is a highly selective and protective surface that prevents entry of most therapeutic agents into the brain. The development of brain-targeted drug delivery systems has cropped up as an ideal approach of overcoming this hurdle, which would allow the effective delivery of drugs across the BBB to access the target sites in the CNS. Using nanotechnology, molecular targeting and carrier engineering, these systems enhance drug bioavailability, minimize side effects at the systemic level and enhance therapeutic activity in neurological disease, including Alzheimer, Parkinson, brain tumours, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. This review notes the structural and functional properties of the BBB and describes several brain-targeting methods such as receptor-mediated transport, cell-penetrating peptides, and nanoparticle-based systems as well as discusses recent advancements in invasive and non-invasive methods. Issues of safety, biocompatibility and regulatory demands are also discussed and future outlooks of precision neuromedicine and theranostic dealing are indicated.
Keywords: Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), Efflux Transporters, Nano-particle, Focused Ultrasound, Exosome, Brain Tumor, Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke, Epilepsy.
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