The Application of Nanotechnology for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Diseases and Disorders

20 nm nanoparticles trigger calcium influx to endothelial cells via a TRPV4 channel

While increased intracellular calcium (Ca2+) has been identified as a key effect of nanoparticles on endothelial cells, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated or examined under shear stress. Here, we show the effect of several types of 20 nm particles on Ca2+ in the presence of shear stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), and human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-Cs). Intracellular Ca2+ levels increased by nearly three-fold in these cell types upon exposure to 100 μg mL-1 20 nm Au particles, which was not seen in response to larger or smaller particles. An antagonist to the calcium channel - transient receptor potential vanilloid-type 4 (TRPV4) - drastically reduced the amount of calcium by 9.3-fold in HUVECs exposed to 0.6 Pa shear stress and 100 μg mL-1 20 nm gold particles, a trend upheld in both HCAECs and HMVEC-Cs. Cell alignment in the direction of fluid flow is a well-known phenomenon in endothelial cells, and interestingly, cells in the presence of 20 nm particles with fluid flow had a higher alignment index than cells in the fluid flow alone. When compared with previous works, these results indicated that 20 nm particles may be inducing endothelial permeability by activating the TRPV4 channel in vitro. The potential of nanoparticle delivery technologies hinges on an improved understanding of this effect toward improved delivery with limited toxicity.

A Comprehensive Review on Plant-Based Medications and Chemical Approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) Psychopharmacotherapy

Gastrointestinal impairment induced sleep, behavioral and psychiatric disorders were reported in patients of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). These may be life-long neuro-developmental disorders. Standardized diagnostic criteria for ASDs include: restricted and repetitive behavior, ongoing deficiencies in social interaction and communication. Pro-antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of dietry polyphenols/poly-phenol-rich derivatives as bioactive compounds enhanced permeability of blood brain barrier, consequently leads to delay in the onset of ASDs symptoms and can be effectively used in the management of ASDs. During the research on ASDs numerous therapeutic modalities, such as chemical and plant-based therapies, have been investigated. Due to their possible neuro-psychopharmacological benefits, plant-based treatments have attracted interest. These natural source therapies have demonstrated potential in reducing ASDs-related symptoms. Plant-based psycho-pharmaceuticals have been thoroughly investigated, and the investigations have confirmed their therapeutic effects. The therapeutic qualities of plants not only address the complex neurological aspects of ASDs but also provide a comprehensive approach to treatment. These substances may restore neurochemical equilibrium by focusing on particular biochemical pathways associated with the illness. Advancements in pharmacology and neurochemistry have enabled targeted interventions through chemical approaches. The treatment of ASDs approached through a combination of plant-based solutions and chemical methods can be better than one alone. By targeting the restorative properties of both natural compounds and synthesized chemicals, researchers aim to address the diverse range of symptoms and underlying neurobiological abnormalities associated with ASDs. Further clinical studies are required to validate the potential of bioactive molecules scientifically.

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Nanobiotechnology Unveils the Power of Probiotics: A Comprehensive Review on the Synergistic Role of Probiotics and Advanced Nanotechnology in Enhancing Geriatric Health

The geriatric population, comprising ages 65 and above, encounters distinct health obstacles because of physiological changes and heightened vulnerability to diseases. New technologies are being investigated to tackle the intricate health requirements of this population. Recent advancements in probiotics and nanotechnology offer promising strategies to enhance geriatric health by improving nutrient absorption, modulating gut microbiota, and delivering targeted therapeutic agents. Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining gut homeostasis, reducing inflammation, and supporting metabolic functions. However, challenges such as limited viability and efficacy in harsh gastrointestinal conditions hinder their therapeutic potential. Advanced nanotechnology can overcome these constraints by enhancing the efficacy of probiotics through nano-encapsulation, controlled delivery, and improvement of bioavailability. This review explores the synergistic potential of probiotics and advanced nanotechnology in addressing age-related health concerns. It highlights key developments in probiotic formulations, nano-based delivery systems, and their combined impact on gut health, immunity, and neuroprotection. The convergence of probiotics and nanotechnology represents a novel and transformative approach to promoting healthy aging, paving the way for innovative therapeutic interventions.

A Comprehensive Review of Challenges in Oral Drug Delivery Systems and Recent Advancements in Innovative Design Strategies

The oral route of drug administration is often preferred by patients and healthcare providers due to its convenience, ease of use, non-invasiveness, and patient acceptance. However, traditional oral dosage forms have several limitations, including low bioavailability, limited drug loading capacity, and stability and storage issues, particularly with solutions and suspensions. Over the years, researchers have dedicated considerable effort to developing novel oral drug delivery systems to overcome these limitations. This review discusses various challenges associated with oral drug delivery systems, including biological, pharmaceutical, and physicochemical barriers. It also explores common delivery approaches, such as gastroretentive drug delivery, small intestine drug delivery, and colon-targeting drug delivery systems. Additionally, numerous strategies aimed at improving oral drug delivery efficiency are reviewed, including solid dispersion, absorption enhancers, lipidbased formulations, nanoparticles, polymer-based nanocarriers, liposomal formulations, microencapsulation, and micellar formulations. Furthermore, innovative approaches like orally disintegrating tablets (ODT), orally disintegrating films (ODF), layered tablets, micro particulates, self-nano emulsifying formulations (SNEF), and controlled release dosage forms are explored for their potential in enhancing oral drug delivery efficiency and promoting patients' compliance. Overall, this review highlights significant progress in addressing challenges in the pharmaceutical industry and clinical settings, offering novel approaches for the development of effective oral drug delivery systems.

Artificial intelligence in nanotechnology for treatment of diseases

Nano-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) have demonstrated the ability to address challenges posed by therapeutic agents, enhancing drug efficiency and reducing side effects. Various nanoparticles (NPs) are utilised as DDSs with unique characteristics, leading to diverse applications across different diseases. However, the complexity, cost and time-consuming nature of laboratory processes, the large volume of data, and the challenges in data analysis have prompted the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI has been employed in designing, characterising and manufacturing drug delivery nanosystems, as well as in predicting treatment efficiency. AI's potential to personalise drug delivery based on individual patient factors, optimise formulation design and predict drug properties has been highlighted. By leveraging AI and large datasets, developing safe and effective DDSs can be accelerated, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing pharmaceutical sciences. This review article investigates the role of AI in the development of nano-DDSs, with a focus on their therapeutic applications. The use of AI in DDSs has the potential to revolutionise treatment optimisation and improve patient care.

Preparation and characterization of Sorafenib nano-emulsion: impact on pharmacokinetics and toxicity; an in vitro and in vivo study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current treatment strategies include surgical resection, liver transplantation, liver-directed therapy, and systemic therapy. Sorafenib (Sor) is the first systemic drug authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HCC treatment. Nevertheless, the conventional oral administration of Sor presents several limitations: poor solubility, low bioavailability, drug resistance development, and off-target tissue accumulation, leading to numerous adverse effects. Nano-emulsion, a nano-delivery system, is a viable carrier for poorly water-soluble drugs. It aims to enhance drug bioavailability, target organ accumulation, and reduce off-target tissue exposure, thus improving therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects. This study formulated Sor nano-emulsion (Sor NanoEm) using the homogenization technique. The resultant nano-emulsion was characterized by particle size (121.75 ± 12 nm), polydispersity index (PDI; 0.310), zeta potential (-12.33 ± 1.34 mV), viscosity (34,776 ± 3276 CPs), and pH (4.38 ± 0.3). Transmission Electron Microscopy exhibited spherical nano-droplets with no aggregation signs indicating stability. Furthermore, the encapsulation of Sor within the nano-emulsion sustained its release, potentially reducing the frequency of therapeutic doses. Cytotoxicity assessments on the HepG2 cell line revealed that Sor NanoEm had a significantly (P < 0.05) more potent cytotoxic effect compared to Sor suspension. Subsequent tests highlighted superior pharmacokinetic parameters and reduced dosage requirements of Sor NanoEm in mice. It exhibited an enhanced safety profile, particularly in behavior, brain, and liver, compared to its suspended form. These findings underscore the enhanced pharmacological and toxicological attributes of Sor Nano-emulsion, suggesting its potential utility in HCC treatment.

What is the Reason That the Pharmacological Future of Chemotherapeutics in the Treatment of Lung Cancer Could Be Most Closely Related to Nanostructures? Platinum Drugs in Therapy of Non-Small and Small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Unexpected, Possible Interactions. The Review

Over the course of several decades, anticancer treatment with chemotherapy drugs for lung cancer has not changed significantly. Unfortunately, this treatment prolongs the patient's life only by a few months, causing many side effects in the human body. It has also been proven that drugs such as Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin and others can react with other substances containing an aromatic ring in which the nitrogen atom has a free electron group in its structure. Thus, such structures may have a competitive effect on the nucleobases of DNA. Therefore, scientists are looking not only for new drugs, but also for new alternative ways of delivering the drug to the cancer site. Nanotechnology seems to be a great hope in this matter. Creating a new nanomedicine would reduce the dose of the drug to an absolute minimum, and thus limit the toxic effect of the drug; it would allow for the exclusion of interactions with competitive compounds with a structure similar to nucleobases; it would also permit using the so-called targeted treatment and bypassing healthy cells; it would allow for the introduction of other treatment options, such as radiotherapy directly to the cancer site; and it would provide diagnostic possibilities. This article is a review that aims to systematize the knowledge regarding the anticancer treatment of lung cancer, but not only. It shows the clear possibility of interactions of chemotherapeutics with compounds competitive to the nitrogenous bases of DNA. It also shows the possibilities of using nanostructures as potential Platinum drug carriers, and proves that nanomedicine can easily become a new medicinal product in personalized medicine.

Could nanotechnology improve exercise performance? Evidence from animal studies

This review provides the current state of knowledge regarding the use of nutritional nanocompounds on exercise performance. The reviewed studies used the following nanocompounds: resveratrol-loaded lipid nanoparticles, folic acid into layered hydroxide nanoparticle, redox-active nanoparticles with nitroxide radicals, and iron into liposomes. Most of these nutritional nanocompounds seem to improve performance in endurance exercise compared to the active compound in the non-nanoencapsulated form and/or placebo. Nutritional nanocompounds also induced the following physiological and metabolic alterations: 1) improved antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress; 2) reduction in inflammation status; 3) maintenance of muscle integrity; 4) improvement in mitochondrial function and quality; 5) enhanced glucose levels during exercise; 6) higher muscle and hepatic glycogen levels; and 7) increased serum and liver iron content. However, all the reviewed studies were conducted in animals (mice and rats). In conclusion, nutritional nanocompounds are a promising approach to improving exercise performance. As the studies using nutritional nanocompounds were all conducted in animals, further studies in humans are necessary to better understand the application of nutritional nanocompounds in sport and exercise science.

Neurodiagnostic and neurotherapeutic potential of graphene nanomaterials

Graphene has emerged as a highly promising nanomaterial for a variety of advanced technologies, including batteries, energy, electronics, and biotechnologies. Its recent contribution to neurotechnology is particularly noteworthy because its superior conductivity, chemical resilience, biocompatibility, thermal stability, and scalable nature make it well-suited for measuring brain activity and plasticity in health and disease. Graphene-mediated compounds are microfabricated in two central methods: chemical processes with natural graphite and chemical vapor deposition of graphene in a film form. They are widely used as biosensors and bioelectronics for neurodiagnostic and neurotherapeutic purposes in several brain disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, glioma, epilepsy, tinnitus, and Alzheimer's disease. This review provides an overview of studies that have demonstrated the technical advances of graphene nanomaterials in neuroscientific and clinical applications. We also discuss current limitations and future demands in relation to the clinical application of graphene, highlighting its potential technological and clinical significance for treating brain disorders. Our review underscores the potential of graphene nanomaterials as powerful tools for advancing the understanding of the brain and developing new therapeutic strategies.

A review on nanotechnological perspective of "the amyloid cascade hypothesis" for neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by progressive degeneration of neurons which deteriorates the brain functions. An early detection of the onset of NDs is utmost important, as it will provide the fast treatment strategies to prevent further progression of the disease. Conventionally, accurate diagnosis of the brain related disorders is difficult in their early phase. To solve this problem, nanotechnology based neurofunctional imaging and biomarker detection techniques have been developed which allows high specificity and sensitivity towards screening and diagnosis of NDs. Another challenge to treat the brain related disorders is to overcome the complex integrity of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) for the delivery of theranostic agents. Fortunately, utilization of nanomaterials has been pursued as promising strategy to address this challenge. Herein, we critically highlighted the recent improvements in the field of neurodiagnostic and therapeutic approaches involving innovative strategies for diagnosis, and inhibition of protein aggregates. We have provided particular emphasis on the use of nanotechnology which can push forward the blooming research growth in this field to win the battle against devastating NDs.

Nanotechnology-empowered therapeutics targeting neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are posing pressing health issues due to the high prevalence among aging populations in the 21st century. They are evidenced by the progressive loss of neuronal function, often associated with neuronal necrosis and many related devastating complications. Nevertheless, effective therapeutical strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases remain a tremendous challenge due to the multisystemic nature and limited drug delivery to the central nervous system. As a result, there is a pressing need to develop effective alternative therapeutics to manage the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. By utilizing the functional reconstructive materials and technologies with specific targeting ability at the nanoscale level, nanotechnology-empowered medicines can transform the therapeutic paradigms of neurodegenerative diseases with minimal systemic side effects. This review outlines the current applications and progresses of the nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Peptide-metal nanohybrids (PMN): Promising entities for combating neurological maladies

Nanotherapeutics are gaining traction in the modern scenario because of their unique and distinct properties which separate them from macro materials. Among the nanoparticles, metal NPs (MNPs) have gained importance due to their distinct physicochemical and biological characteristics. Peptides also exhibit several important functions in humans. Different peptides have received approval as pharmaceuticals, and clinical trials have been commenced for several peptides. Peptides are also used as targeting ligands. Considering all the advantages offered by these two entities, the conjugation of MNPs with peptides has emerged as a potential strategy for achieving successful targeting, diagnosis, and therapy of various neurological pathologies.

Clay Nanotubes Loaded with Diazepam or Xylazine Permeate the Brain through Intranasal Administration in Mice

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle to the permeation of most therapeutic drugs into the brain, limiting treatments for neurological disorders. Drugs loaded within nanocarriers that pass through the BBB can overcome this limitation. Halloysite consists of naturally occurring biocompatible clay nanotubes of 50 nm diameter and 15 nm lumen, allowing the loading and sustained release of loaded drugs. These have demonstrated the ability to transport loaded molecules into cells and organs. We propose to use halloysite nanotubes as a "nano-torpedo" for drug delivery through the BBB due to their needle-like shape. To determine if they can cross the BBB using a non-invasive, clinically translatable route of administration, we loaded halloysite with either diazepam or xylazine and delivered these intranasally to mice daily over six days. The sedative effects of these drugs were observed in vestibulomotor tests conducted at two, five, and seven days after the initial administration. Behavioral tests were conducted 3.5 h after administration to show that the effects were from halloysite/delivered drugs and not from the drug alone. As expected, the treated mice performed more poorly than the sham, drug alone, and halloysite-vehicle-treated mice. These results confirm that halloysite permeates the BBB to deliver drugs when administered intranasally.

An update on pathogenesis and clinical scenario for Parkinson's disease: diagnosis and treatment

In severe cases, Parkinson's disease causes uncontrolled movements known as motor symptoms such as dystonia, rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremors. Parkinson's disease also causes non-motor symptoms such as insomnia, constipation, depression and hysteria. Disruption of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neural networks in the substantia nigra pars compacta is a major cause of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, due to the difficulty of clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, it is often misdiagnosed, highlighting the need for better methods of detection. Treatment of Parkinson's disease is also complicated due to the difficulties of medications passing across the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, the conventional methods fail to solve the aforementioned issues. As a result, new methods are needed to detect and treat Parkinson's disease. Improved diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease can help avoid some of its devastating symptoms. This review explores how nanotechnology platforms, such as nanobiosensors and nanomedicine, have improved Parkinson's disease detection and treatment. Nanobiosensors integrate science and engineering principles to detect Parkinson's disease. The main advantages are their low cost, portability, and quick and precise analysis. Moreover, nanotechnology can transport medications in the form of nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier. However, because nanobiosensors are a novel technology, their use in biological systems is limited. Nanobiosensors have the potential to disrupt cell metabolism and homeostasis, changing cellular molecular profiles and making it difficult to distinguish sensor-induced artifacts from fundamental biological phenomena. In the treatment of Parkinson's disease, nanoparticles, on the other hand, produce neurotoxicity, which is a challenge in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Techniques must be developed to distinguish sensor-induced artifacts from fundamental biological phenomena and to reduce the neurotoxicity caused by nanoparticles.

Integration of miRNA's Theranostic Potential with Nanotechnology: Promises and Challenges for Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics

Despite the wide research going on in Parkinson's disease (PD), the burden of PD still remains high and continues to increase. The current drugs available for the treatment of PD are only aimed at symptomatic control. Hence, research is mainly focused on identifying the novel therapeutic targets that can be effectively targeted in order to slow down or culminate the disease progression. Recently the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of various pathological mechanisms of PD has been thoroughly explored and many of them were found to be dysregulated in the biological samples of PD patients. These miRNAs can be used as diagnostic markers and novel therapeutic options to manage PD. The delivery of miRNAs to the target site in brain is a challenging job owing to their nature of degradability by endonucleases as well as poor blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Nanoparticles appear to be the best solution to effectively encase the miRNA in their core as well as cross the BBB to deliver them into brain. Functionalisation of these nanoparticles further enhances the site-specific delivery.

Impact of nanoparticles on amyloid β-induced Alzheimer's disease, tuberculosis, leprosy and cancer: a systematic review

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary domain of science, technology and engineering that deals with nano-sized materials/particles. Usually, the size of nanoparticles lies between 1 and 100 nm. Due to their small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles exhibit high reactivity, greater stability and adsorption capacity. These important physicochemical properties attract scientific community to utilize them in biomedical field. Various types of nanoparticles (inorganic and organic) have broad applications in medical field ranging from imaging to gene therapy. These are also effective drug carriers. In recent times, nanoparticles are utilized to circumvent different treatment limitations. For example, the ability of nanoparticles to cross the blood-brain barrier and having a certain degree of specificity towards amyloid deposits makes themselves important candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, nanotechnology has been used extensively to overcome several pertinent issues like drug-resistance phenomenon, side effects of conventional drugs and targeted drug delivery issue in leprosy, tuberculosis and cancer. Thus, in this review, the application of different nanoparticles for the treatment of these four important diseases (Alzheimer's disease, tuberculosis, leprosy and cancer) as well as for the effective delivery of drugs used in these diseases has been presented systematically. Although nanoformulations have many advantages over traditional therapeutics for treating these diseases, nanotoxicity is a major concern that has been discussed subsequently. Lastly, we have presented the promising future prospective of nanoparticles as alternative therapeutics. In that section, we have discussed about the futuristic approach(es) that could provide promising candidate(s) for the treatment of these four diseases.

Nigella sativa and its nano-mediated approach toward management of neurodegenerative disorders: A review

Nigella sativa L., also known as black seed or black cumin, is a plant that has been used for centuries. In the past, this flowering plant was used as a food preservative and medicinal herb. A vital component of Nigella sativa, thymoquinone (TQ), plays a significant therapeutic role in the management of most diseases, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders are primarily caused by neurotransmitter hypoactivity, particularly insufficient serotonin activity. It has been discovered that many medicinal herbs and their active compounds have therapeutic value. Black cumin seeds have been used to heal ailments and its history traces back to ancient times such as ancient Babylonia. They can be used applied to alleviate edema, hair loss, and bruising, and consumd to treat stomach issues. It is one of the most feasible and effective medicinal plants. The use of nanoformulations based on Nigella sativa and TQ to treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) has yielded promising outcomes. Customized administration of nanoparticle (NP) systems and nanomedicine are two of the many options for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) that are attracting increasing interest. Delivering a therapeutic and diagnostic substance to a particular location is the core target of NPs. Because of their distinct cell uptake and trafficking mechanisms, NPs can reduce the amount that accumulates in undesirable organs. The focus of the current review is on recent studies on the various neuroprotective properties of Nigella sativa as well as nanoformulations for NDs and the brain's uptake of NPs. The review summarizes the In vivo, In vitro, and In silico studies on the protective effects of black cumin against neurodegenerative disorders.

Benefits and limitations of nanomedicine treatment of brain cancers and age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders

The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, including brain cancers, is limited by a number of obstructions, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the heterogeneity and high invasiveness of tumors, the inaccessibility of tissues for early diagnosis and effective surgery, and anti-cancer drug resistance. Therapies employing nanomedicine have been shown to facilitate drug penetration across the BBB and maintain biodistribution and accumulation of therapeutic agents at the desired target site. The application of lipid-, polymer-, or metal-based nanocarriers represents an advanced drug delivery system for a growing group of anti-cancer chemicals. The nanocarrier surface is designed to contain an active ligand (cancer cell marker or antibody)-binding structure which can be modified to target specific cancer cells. Glioblastoma, ependymoma, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and primary CNS lymphomas were recently targeted by easily absorbed nanocarriers. The metal- (such as transferrin drug-loaded systems), polymer- (nanocapsules and nanospheres), or lipid- (such as sulfatide-containing nanoliposomes)-based nano-vehicles were loaded with apoptosis- and/or ferroptosis-stimulating agents and demonstrated promising anti-cancer effects. This review aims to discuss effective nanomedicine approaches designed to overcome the current limitations in the therapy of brain cancers and age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders. To accent current obstacles for successful CNS-based cancer therapy, we discuss nanomedicine perspectives and limitations of nanodrug use associated with the specificity of nervous tissue characteristics and the effects nanocarriers have on cognition.

The Emerging Applications of Nanotechnology in Neuroimaging: A Comprehensive Review

Neuroimaging modalities such as computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have greatly improved in their ability to achieve higher spatial resolution of neurovascular and soft tissue neuroanatomy, allowing for increased accuracy in the diagnosis of neurological conditions. However, the use of conventional contrast agents that have short tissue retention time and associated renal toxicities, or expensive radioisotope tracers that are not widely available, continue to limit the sensitivity of these imaging modalities. Nanoparticles can potentially address these shortcomings by enhancing tissue retention and improving signal intensity in the brain and neural axis. In this review, we discuss the use of different types of nanotechnology to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases.

Application of Metal-Based Nanozymes in Inflammatory Disease: A Review

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are metabolites of normal cells in organisms, and normal levels of ROS in cells are essential for maintaining cell signaling and other intracellular functions. However, excessive inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion can cause an imbalance of tissue redox balance, and oxidative stress occurs in a tissue, resulting in a large amount of ROS, causing direct tissue damage. The production of many diseases is associated with excess ROS, such as stroke, sepsis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. With the rapid development of nanomedicine, nanomaterials have been widely used to effectively treat various inflammatory diseases due to their superior physical and chemical properties. In this review, we summarize the application of some representative metal-based nanozymes in inflammatory diseases. In addition, we discuss the application of various novel nanomaterials for different therapies and the prospects of using nanoparticles (NPs) as biomedical materials.

A Versatile Pep-CPDs Nanoprobe for Rapid Detection of mTBI Biomarker in Clinical Instances and Safe Fluorescence Imaging In Vivo for Improved Weight-Drop Mouse Model

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common form of traumatic brain injury; however, it is the most difficult to be accurately identified in the early stage because it lacks more reliable biomarkers and detection methods. This study proposes a highly efficient system to detect a molecular biomarker for the early diagnosis of mTBI. The system was prepared by a lower cytotoxic peptide-modified fluorescent nanoprobe based on carbon polymer dots (pep-CPDs) with outstanding imaging capabilities. In vitro and in vivo tests were explored to the efficiency of pep-CPDs, inferring the good performances of cellular fluorescence imaging and in vivo imaging of mice. Moreover, an application of the versatile pep-CPDs on detecting the mTBI biomarker S100-β detection in a novel improved weight-drop mTBI mouse model and human blood samples has been successfully established. Overall, all these results indicate that the pep-CPD system is sensitive, rapid, non-toxic, and reliable for mTBI diagnosis compared with traditional detection methods. It shows a great potential in clinical and translational research and practical applications.

The Role of Graphene Oxide Nanocarriers in Treating Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system, and their conventional treatment involves maximal safe surgical resection combined with radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy; however, this treatment does not meet the requirements of patients in terms of survival and quality of life. Graphene oxide (GO) has excellent physical and chemical properties and plays an important role in the treatment of gliomas mainly through four applications, viz. direct killing, drug delivery, immunotherapy, and phototherapy. This article reviews research on GO nanocarriers in the treatment of gliomas in recent years and also highlights new ideas for the treatment of these tumors.