Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections
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 ar...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/1/186 |
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| author | Mahmood Barani Mahwash Mukhtar Abbas Rahdar Ghasem Sargazi Anna Thysiadou George Z. Kyzas |
| author_facet | Mahmood Barani Mahwash Mukhtar Abbas Rahdar Ghasem Sargazi Anna Thysiadou George Z. Kyzas |
| author_sort | Mahmood Barani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:32:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1369f2014d5648dc9f3675dc655c83fd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:32:34Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-1369f2014d5648dc9f3675dc655c83fd2023-11-21T07:45:17ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492021-01-0126118610.3390/molecules26010186Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain InfectionsMahmood Barani0Mahwash Mukhtar1Abbas Rahdar2Ghasem Sargazi3Anna Thysiadou4George Z. Kyzas5Department of Chemistry, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman 76169-14111, IranFaculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Regulatory Affairs, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, HungaryDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol 538-98615, IranNoncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Science, Bam 5166-15731, IranDepartment of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, 65404 Kavala, GreeceDepartment of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, 65404 Kavala, GreeceThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/1/186nanomaterialsbrainmeningitistreatmentdiagnosis |
| spellingShingle | Mahmood Barani Mahwash Mukhtar Abbas Rahdar Ghasem Sargazi Anna Thysiadou George Z. Kyzas Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections Molecules nanomaterials brain meningitis treatment diagnosis |
| title | Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections |
| title_full | Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections |
| title_fullStr | Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections |
| title_short | Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections |
| title_sort | progress in the application of nanoparticles and graphene as drug carriers and on the diagnosis of brain infections |
| topic | nanomaterials brain meningitis treatment diagnosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/1/186 |
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