Lipid-based nanoparticles via nose-to-brain delivery

This paper explains why they shoved the Covid Test Swabs way up into your olfactory nerves. The Swabs are for Nose to Brain Delivery of Lipid Nanoparticles… (Summary Below) (info compiled by Jay Wilson on facebook)

Lipid-based nanoparticles via nose-to-brain delivery: a mini review https://www.frontiersin.org/…/fcell.2023.1214450/full

• This mini-review discusses using lipid-based nanoparticles for nose-to-brain drug delivery to bypass the Blood-Brain Barrier allowing for the drugs to reach the Central Nervous System.

• The blood-brain barrier hinders drug delivery, but nanoparticles, via nasal administration, bypass this barrier, improving drug bioavailability and reducing side effects.

• The review details various nanoparticle types and nasal delivery pathways.

• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts most drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS).

• Novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), particularly those using nanomaterials administered intranasally, offer a promising solution.

• Nanoparticles can bypass the BBB, improve drug penetration, and offer sustained release, enhancing therapeutic efficacy despite challenges posed by the mucociliary clearance system.

• Nasal drug delivery systems (NDDS) protect peptide drugs from enzymatic degradation in the nasal cavity, improving bioavailability.

• This article reviews nasal cavity physiology, nose-to-brain pathways, and lipid-based nanocarriers for CNS drug delivery.

• The nasal cavity, divided into vestibular, respiratory, and olfactory regions, facilitates drug absorption.

• The respiratory area, with its large surface area and numerous cells, is the primary site for systemic absorption.

• The olfactory region, containing olfactory sensory neurons, allows direct drug delivery to the brain via olfactory nerves, trigeminal nerves, or bloodstream.

• Three main pathways—olfactory, trigeminal, and circulatory—transport drugs from the nose to the brain.

• Nasal drug delivery uses three pathways: the olfactory pathway (paracellular and transcellular routes), the trigeminal nerve pathway (intra-axonal transport), and the blood circulation pathway.

• The olfactory pathway is best for small hydrophilic molecules (paracellular) or hydrophobic nanoparticles (transcellular).

• The trigeminal pathway, though less significant, offers direct brain access.

• Blood circulation delivers low molecular weight lipophilic substances.

• Nanotechnology enhances nasal drug delivery by protecting drugs and improving BBB crossing.

• Researchers created lipid-based nanocarriers (liposomes, nanoemulsions, etc.) for drug delivery.

• Liposomes, nanometric lipid vesicles, enhance drug delivery to the brain via nasal administration.

• Studies show improved drug transport, sustained release, and reduced side effects compared to traditional methods.

• Nanoemulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) improve drug delivery, offering controlled release and high stability, though SLNs have limitations in shape and uniform particle formation.

• Rotigotine SLNs showed high drug release, while tetrabenazine nanoemulsions increased permeation rates.

• Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) offer higher encapsulation efficiency than SLNs but have limitations with multiple drugs or hydrophilic drugs.

• Buspirone-loaded NLCs were successfully prepared for nasal brain delivery.

• Nanoparticle-based nose-to-brain drug delivery shows promise for treating CNS disorders.

• Various nanocarriers (liposomes, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, etc.) significantly improve brain bioavailability of drugs like imatinib, lomustine, and risperidone compared to traditional routes.

• While this method offers advantages in reducing side effects and increasing efficacy, challenges remain in cost and large-scale production.

• The authors declare no conflicts of interest.