Applications of Phyto-Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

The strategies involved in the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders are very complex and challenging due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a closely spaced network of blood vessels and endothelial cells that functions to prevent the entry of unwanted substances in the brain. The emergence and advancement of nanotechnology shows favourable prospects to overcome this phenomenon. Engineered nanoparticles conjugated with drug moieties and imaging agents that have dimensions between 1 and 100 nm could potentially be used to ensure enhanced efficacy, cellular uptake, specific transport, and delivery of specific molecules to the brain, owing to their modified physico-chemical features. The conjugates of nanoparticles and medicinal plants, or their components known as nano phytomedicine, have been gaining significance lately in the development of novel neuro-therapeutics owing to their natural abundance, promising targeted delivery to the brain, and lesser potential to show adverse effects. In the present review, the promising application, and recent trends of combined nanotechnology and phytomedicine for the treatment of neurological disorders (ND) as compared to conventional therapies, have been addressed. Nanotechnology-based efforts performed in bioinformatics for early diagnosis as well as futuristic precision medicine in ND have also been discussed in the context of computational approach.

A Prospective Viewpoint on Neurological Diseases and Their Biomarkers

“…Astrocytes are also activated during the inflammatory process, a process known as astrogliosis. Aging is a significant risk factor for neurodegeneration [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. In general, older adults have dysregulated cytokine expression (i.e., increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased availability of anti-inflammatory cytokines), resulting in a chronic low-grade inflammatory state.…”

Green Metallic Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis to Applications

“…There is evidence that an edible fungus called Volvariella volvacea’s aqueous extract contains one of the most effective agents for decreasing and capping the extracellular production of gold and silver nanoparticles (Au–Ag NPs) ( Philip, 2009 ; Bhattacharya et al, 2022 ). Another long-term investigation used the immobilized fungus Coriolus versicolor to bioremediate cadmium salt and synthesize stable CdS nanoparticles in aqueous settings.…”

“…One of the most significant advancements in nanotechnology and materials science is the creation of engineered nanomaterials ( Mu et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2021 ). Nanotechnology has penetrated various fields such as drug delivery and other biomedical applications ( Chopra et al, 2021a , 2021b , 2022 ; Singla et al, 2021 ; Bhattacharya et al, 2022 ). Moving these things out of the lab and into the real world is the only way to bring them to life.…”

The Gut Microbiota (Microbiome) in Cardiovascular Disease and Its Therapeutic Regulation

“…Kidney crosstalk in the intestine, which is affected by the intestinal microbiota in most cases, plays an integral role in CKD development ( Khoury et al., 2017 ). The intestinal microbiota mediate inflammatory ( Khoury et al., 2017 ), neurological ( Tanida et al., 2005 ; Rahman et al., 2020 ; Rahman et al., 2021a ; Bhattacharya et al., 2022 ; Mominur Rahman et al., 2022 ), and endocrine ( Afsar et al., 2016 ) processes in CKD. The microbiota protects gut health and CKD contributes to intestinal dysbiosis ( Mahmoodpoor et al., 2017 ; Rahman et al., 2022b ).…”