Title:Application of Nano-based Drug Loading Systems in the Treatment of Neurological
Infections: An Updated Review
Volume: 28
Issue: 28
Author(s): Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad, Shahriar Shahi, Javad Mahmoudi, Afsaneh Farjami, Ahad Bazmani, Behrooz Naghili, Solmaz Maleki Dizaj and Sara Salatin*
Affiliation:
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Keywords:
Central nervous system, blood-brain barrier, infection, meningitis, antimicrobial drug delivery, bacteria, nanoparticle.
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 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 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 has been displayed for the CNS delivery of therapeutics,
especially when their surfaces are coated with targeting moieties. This study aimed to review the available literature
on the application of NPs in CNS infections.