Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections

Abstract

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the protective sheath around the brain that protects the sensitive microenvironments of the brain. However, certain pathogens, viruses, and bacteria disrupt the endothelial barrier and cause infection and hence inflammation in meninges. Macromolecular therapeutics are unable to cross the tight junctions, thereby limiting their bioavailability in the brain. Recently, nanotechnology has brought a revolution in the field of drug delivery in brain infections. The nanostructures have high targeting accuracy and specificity to the receptors in the case of active targeting, which have made them the ideal cargoes to permeate across the BBB. In addition, nanomaterials with biomimetic functions have been introduced to efficiently cross the BBB to be engulfed by the pathogens. This review focuses on the nanotechnology-based drug delivery approaches for exploration in brain infections, including meningitis. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, or, rarely, protozoa or parasites may be the cause of brain infections. Moreover, inflammation of the meninges, called meningitis, is presently diagnosed using laboratory and imaging tests. Despite attempts to improve diagnostic instruments for brain infections and meningitis, due to its complicated and multidimensional nature and lack of successful diagnosis, meningitis appears almost untreatable. Potential for overcoming the difficulties and limitations related to conventional diagnostics has been shown by nanoparticles (NPs). Nanomedicine now offers new methods and perspectives to improve our knowledge of meningitis and can potentially give meningitis patients new hope. Here, we review traditional diagnosis tools and key nanoparticles (Au-NPs, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), QDs, etc.) for early diagnosis of brain infections and meningitis.

Application of Nanotechnology for Sensitive Detection of Low-Abundance Single-Nucleotide Variations in Genomic DNA: A Review

“…Various other nanobased systems have been developed, characterized, and explored [ 133 , 134 , 135 ]. Because of the colloidal stability and electro-optical properties, AuNPs have gained attention in the past for diagnostic purposes.…”

Deciphering the role of nanoparticles for management of bacterial meningitis: an update on recent studies

“…Nanotechnology-based delivery methods offer the best possibility for achieving superior therapy of meningitis (Barani et al 2021 ). One of the most important constituents of nanomedicines is the emerging use of nanoparticles (NPs).…”

“…Meningitis may instigate necrosis, reduced CSF and blood flow, and malfunctioning of central nervous system (CNS)(Zueter and Zaiter 2015 ). Meningitis might be outcome of either infectious or non-infectious sources (Barani et al 2021 ). Compared with an infectious form, non-infectious cases are unusual, especially with their inability to spread from one individual to another.…”

Nanotechnology in Bladder Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

“…Nanotechnology advents the field of anti-cancer modalities via improving the drug loading by decorating the surface of nanoparticles with targeted receptor ligands, highly expressed on tumor surfaces [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Nanomaterials bypass the side effects of conventional therapy by improving the specificity and pharmacokinetics of anti-cancer drugs [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ].…”