Applications of bionanomaterials in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are mainly characterized by progressive neuronal loss, and they pose a significant healthcare burden due to limited treatment options and the ineffectiveness of drugs at the target site within the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts drug delivery, necessitating innovative strategies. In this review article, we have explored the growing field of bionanomaterials for Neurodegenerative diseases. Biomaterials and biofunctionalized nanomaterials mimic biological systems and offer unique properties that help overcome existing limitations in drug delivery methods. Metallic nanoparticles like gold, silver, and cerium oxide (CeO2) show neuroprotective effects and hold promise for drug delivery across the BBB. Liposomes and exosomes, natural vesicles, are efficient and biocompatible drug carriers, while dendrimers and synthetic polymers offer targeted drug delivery and controlled release capabilities. We further investigated the role of Quantum dots (QDs) and explored diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies in NDs with tunable fluorescence properties. Peptides, short protein chains, can specifically target protein misfolding, a key pathological feature in many NDs. Micelles, assemblies of surfactant molecules, are being developed for enhanced drug delivery across the BBB. Despite these advancements, challenges remain with applications of bionanomaterials in neuroscience. We further investigate the importance of elucidating nanoparticle toxicity profiles and optimizing BBB penetration as a crucial factor for clinical translation. Future research should focus on biocompatible and targeted bionanomaterials with enhanced therapeutic efficacy. This review highlights the potential of bionanomaterials to revolutionize ND treatment by facilitating targeted drug delivery and therapeutic interventions.