Application of Nano-based Drug Loading Systems in the Treatment of Neurological Infections: An Updated Review

Abstract

Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is a global healthcare concern with high rates of death and disease. CNS infections mainly include meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscesses. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites are the most common causes of neuroinfections.There are many types of medications used in the treatment of CNS infections, but drug delivery through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major challenge to be overcome. The BBB is a specialized multicellular barrier separating the neural tissue from the peripheral blood circulation. Unique characteristics of the BBB allow it to tightly control the movement of ions and molecules.Thus, there is a critical need to deal with these conditions with the aim of improving novel antimicrobial agents. Researchers are still struggling to find effective drugs to treat CNS infections. Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery has been considered as a profound substitute to solve this problem, because NPs can be tailored to facilitate drug transport across the BBB. NPs are colloidal systems with a size range of 1-1000 nm which can be used to encapsulate therapeutics, improve drug transport across the BBB, and target specific brain areas in CNS infections. A wide variety of NPs have been displayed for the CNS delivery of therapeutics, especially when their surfaces are coated with targeting moieties. The present paper aimed to review the available literature on the application of NPs in CNS infections.

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“…Research has demonstrated that NPs within the size range of 20–100 nm exhibit optimal BBB penetration ( Chen et al, 2022 ; Salatin et al, 2022 ). This size range leverages the EPR effect, allowing NPs to accumulate preferentially in tumor tissues due to the leaky vasculature characteristic of tumor microenvironments.…”

“…Ligands such as transferrin or peptides can facilitate receptor-mediated transcytosis, allowing NPs to cross the BBB more efficiently ( Seven et al, 2019 ; Simonneau et al, 2021 ; Choi et al, 2022 ). Additionally, the incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, a process known as PEGylation, can extend the circulation time of NPs by reducing their recognition and clearance by the immune system ( Chen et al, 2022 ; Salatin et al, 2022 ). PEGylation also contributes to minimizing non-specific interactions with non-target cells, further enhancing the specificity and efficacy of NP-based therapies.…”