Recently nano-drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) has been shown to be more effective than the parent compound by itself. An increased availability of the drug for longer periods to the brain or spinal cord and/or a decrease in the drug metabolism altogether could lead to potentiation of the pharmacological activity of the nano-delivered compounds. However, it is still unclear whether the nanocarriers used to deliver the drugs may itself has any potential neurotoxic activity. Although, nanodrug-delivery appears to be a quite promising therapeutic tool for the future clinical therapy, its advantages and limitations for the routine use of patients still needs to be elucidated. Our laboratory is engaged to study a plethora of potential neuroprotective novel compounds delivered to the CNS using nanowiring techniques following brain or spinal cord trauma. Our investigations show that nanowired drugs, if delivered locally following spinal cord injury achieve better neuroprotection than the parent compounds. This effect of nano-drug delivery appears to be very selective in nature. Thus, a clear differentiation based on the compounds used for nano-drug delivery can be seen on various pathological parameters in spinal cord injury. These observations suggest that nanowiring may itself do not induce neuroprotection, but enhance the neuroprotective ability of compounds after trauma. This review describes some recent advances in nano-drug delivery to the CNS in relation to novel neuroprotective strategies with special emphasis on spinal cord trauma based on our own observations and recent findings from our laboratory investigations.

Objectives:Brain stroke is a leading cause of death without effective treatment. Feronia limonia have potent antioxidant activity and can be proved as neuroprotective against ischemia-reperfusion induced brain injury.Materials and Methods:We studied the effect of methanolic extract of F. limonia fruit (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) and Vitamin E as reference standard drug on 30 min induced ischemia, followed by reperfusion by testing the neurobehavioral tests such as neurodeficit score, rota rod test, hanging wire test, beam walk test and elevated plus maze. The biochemical parameters, which were measured in animals brain were catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in control and treated rats.Results:The methanolic extract of F. limonia fruit (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) treated groups showed a statistically significant improvement in the neurobehavioral parameters such as motor performance (neurological status, significant increase in grasping ability, forelimb strength improvement in balance and co-ordination). The biochemical parameters in the brains of rats showed a significant reduction in the total nitrite (P < 0.01) and lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01), also a significant enhanced activity of enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase (P < 0.01) and SOD (P < 0.05).Conclusion:These observations suggest the neuroprotective and antioxidant activity of F. limonia and Vitamin E on ischemia reperfusion induced brain injury and may require further evaluation.

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Background: Hepato-Renal impairment refers to renal dysfunction in a liver compromised state concerning lead metal exposure. Natural chelators (marine source) have potent chelating properties claiming to ameliorate hepato-renal dysfunction in heavy metal toxicity Material and Methods: A total of 42 male albino Wistar rats weighing between 200 to 250 g were categorised into seven groups (n=6). Except for the first group (control), which received sodium-acetate (1,000 mg/L in drinking water), all of the groups received lead acetate 0.4 mg/kg body weight per oral (p.o). Second-group is the negative control group (toxic), the third and fourth received Chitosan and Chitosamine 0.2 g/kg (p.o) respectively. Ethylene diaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) 495 mg/kg (p.o) was given to the fifth, sixth, and seventh groups, whereas Chitosan and Chitosamine [0.2 g/kg (p.o)] were given to the sixth and seventh groups, respectively. Results: There is statistical significant increase in atherogenic indices, serum lipid profile, renal tissue oxidativestress, renal function biomarkers, kidney weights, and decrease in body weights of experimental animals in the toxic as compared to control whereas these values ameliorated in treatment groups as compared to toxic group. Histopathology of toxic group kidneys revealed histologic and pathological changes in nephrons along with dyslipidemia which healed to normal architecture and analytical values in treatment groups. Thus, the study confirms the nephro protective effect and improvement of dyslipidemia as a consequence of hepato-renal impairment by natural chelators. Conclusion: The natural chelators have hepatic and nephro protective effect in lead metal induced poisoning.

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