Particulate levodopa nose-to-brain delivery targets dopamine to the brain with no plasma exposure

Pharmaceutical 3D Printing Technology Integrating Nanomaterials and Nanodevices for Precision Neurological Therapies

Pharmaceutical 3D printing, combined with nanomaterials and nanodevices, presents a transformative approach to precision medicine for treating neurological diseases. This technology enables the creation of tailored dosage forms with controlled release profiles, enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The integration of nanoparticles, such as poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), chitosan, and metallic nanomaterials, into 3D-printed scaffolds improves treatment efficacy by providing targeted and prolonged drug release. Recent advances have demonstrated the potential of these systems in treating conditions like Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and brain tumors. Moreover, 3D printing allows for multi-drug combinations and personalized formulations that adapt to individual patient needs. Novel drug delivery approaches, including stimuli-responsive systems, on-demand dosing, and theragnostics, provide new possibilities for the real-time monitoring and treatment of neurological disorders. Despite these innovations, challenges remain in terms of scalability, regulatory approval, and long-term safety. The future perspectives of this technology suggest its potential to revolutionize neurological treatments by offering patient-specific therapies, improved drug penetration, and enhanced treatment outcomes. This review discusses the current state, applications, and transformative potential of 3D printing and nanotechnology in neurological treatment, highlighting the need for further research to overcome the existing challenges.

Trans-nasal brain delivery of anti-TB drugs by methyl-β-cyclodextrin microparticles show efficient mycobacterial clearance from central nervous system

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is the most severe extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis (TB), facing significant challenges due to the limited penetration of anti-TB drugs (ATDs) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and their insufficient concentrations at the site of infection. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of ATDs by encapsulating them in methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) microparticles (ATD-MP) using spray drying, intended for intranasal delivery to manage CNS-TB. M-β-CD microparticles loaded with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) exhibited spherical shapes with slightly deflated surfaces and particle sizes of 6.24 ± 0.77 μm and 5.97 ± 0.50 μm, respectively. M-β-CD improved the permeation of ATDs through RPMI-2650 cell monolayers while reducing drug cytotoxicity. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution analysis demonstrated that intranasal administration of ATD-MP significantly enhanced the trans-nasal brain delivery of ATDs and their distribution in the brain, achieving the minimum inhibitory concentration. In a murine model of CNS-TB, intranasal insufflation of ATD-MP for four weeks led to a significant reduction (∼0.78 Log10 CFU) in mycobacterial burden in the brain compared to the untreated group (∼3.60 Log10 CFU). These preclinical results underscore the potential of intranasal administration of M-β-CD microparticles as an effective therapeutic strategy for combating brain inflammation in CNS-TB.

Brain Targeting Nanomedicines: Pitfalls and Promise

Brain diseases are the most devastating problem among the world's increasingly aging population, and the number of patients with neurological diseases is expected to increase in the future. Although methods for delivering drugs to the brain have advanced significantly, none of these approaches provide satisfactory results for the treatment of brain diseases. This remains a challenge due to the unique anatomy and physiology of the brain, including tight regulation and limited access of substances across the blood-brain barrier. Nanoparticles are considered an ideal drug delivery system to hard-to-reach organs such as the brain. The development of new drugs and new nanomaterial-based brain treatments has opened various opportunities for scientists to develop brain-specific delivery systems that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke and brain tumors. In this review, we discuss noteworthy literature that examines recent developments in brain-targeted nanomedicines used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

Levodopa-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) resulting in dopamine (DA) deficiency, which manifests itself in motor symptoms including tremors, rigidity and bradykinesia. Current PD treatments aim at symptom reduction through oral delivery of levodopa (L-DOPA), a precursor of DA. However, L-DOPA delivery to the brain is inefficient and increased dosages are required as the disease progresses, resulting in serious side effects like dyskinesias. To improve PD treatment efficacy and to reduce side effects, recent research focuses on the encapsulation of L-DOPA into polymeric- and lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs). These formulations can protect L-DOPA from systemic decarboxylation into DA and improve L-DOPA delivery to the central nervous system. Additionally, NPs can be modified with proteins, peptides and antibodies specifically targeting the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thereby reducing required dosages and free systemic DA. Alternative delivery approaches for NP-encapsulated L-DOPA include intravenous (IV) administration, transdermal delivery using adhesive patches and direct intranasal administration, facilitating increased therapeutic DA concentrations in the brain. This review provides an overview of the recent advances for NP-mediated L-DOPA delivery to the brain, and debates challenges and future perspectives on the field.

Multifunctional systems based on nano-in-microparticles as strategies for drug delivery: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Innovative delivery systems are a promising and attractive approach for drug targeting in pharmaceutical technology. Among the various drug delivery systems studied, the association of strategies based on nanoparticles and microparticles, called nano-in-microparticles, has been gaining prominence as it allows targeting in a specific and personalized way, considering the physiological barriers faced in each disease.

AREAS COVERED

This review proposes to discuss nano-in-micro systems, updated progress on the main biomaterials used in the preparation of these systems, preparation techniques, physiological considerations, applications and challenges, and possible strategies for drug administration. Finally, we bring future perspectives for advances in clinical and field translation of multifunctional systems based on nano-in-microparticles.

EXPERT OPINION

This article brings a new approach to exploring the use of multifunctional systems based on nano-in-microparticles for different applications, in addition, it also emphasizes the use of biomaterials in these systems and their limitations. There is currently no study in the literature that explores this approach, making a review article necessary to address this association of strategies for application in pharmaceutical technology.

Micro- and Nanosized Carriers for Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) have become a serious health problem worldwide due to the rapid increase in the number of people that are affected and the constantly aging population. Among all NDs, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are the most common, and many efforts have been made in the development of effective and reliable therapeutic strategies. The intranasal route of drug administration offers numerous advantages, such as bypassing the blood–brain barrier and providing a direct entrance to the brain through the olfactory and trigeminal neurons. The present review summarizes the available information on recent advances in micro- and nanoscale nose-to-brain drug-delivery systems as a novel strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, polymer- and lipid-base micro- and nanoparticles have been studied as a feasible approach to increase the brain bioavailability of certain drugs. Furthermore, nanocomposites are discussed as a suitable formulation for administration into the nasal cavity.