Biopolymers as promising vehicles for drug delivery to the brain

Abstract

The brain is a privileged organ, tightly guarded by a network of endothelial cells, pericytes, and glial cells called the blood brain barrier. This barrier facilitates tight regulation of the transport of molecules, ions, and cells from the blood to the brain. While this feature ensures protection to the brain, it also presents a challenge for drug delivery for brain diseases. It is, therefore, crucial to identify molecules and/or vehicles that carry drugs, cross the blood brain barrier, and reach targets within the central nervous system. Biopolymers are large polymeric molecules obtained from biological sources. In comparison with synthetic polymers, biopolymers are structurally more complex and their 3D architecture makes them biologically active. Researchers are therefore investigating biopolymers as safe and efficient carriers of brain-targeted therapeutic agents. In this article, we bring together various approaches toward achieving this objective with a note on the prospects for biopolymer-based neurotherapeutic/neurorestorative/neuroprotective interventions. Finally, as a representative paradigm, we discuss the potential use of nanocarrier biopolymers in targeting protein aggregation diseases.

Keywords:

• Blood brain barrier
• drug targeting
• biopolymers
• neuroprotection
• therapeutics

Author contributions

RBM conceived, drafted, and wrote the manuscript. MRA prepared the figures. Both authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.