Nanoparticle Type Objective Size Dose Administered Experimental System Notable Results Reference
Chitosan-coated PLGA Nanoparticles Determine whether PLGA nanoparticles improve the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin through stimulation of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties Not Specified 2 mg/kg In vitro and in vivo with SH-SY5Y and BV-2 cells The synthesized nanoparticle decreased the anti-inflammatory biomarkers, IL-6 and TNF-a, by 40% and 70% respectively. Additionally, curcumin biocompatibility, penetration, and bioaccumulation were greater when chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles were administered. 101,102
Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles Develop a nanoparticulate system for enhanced delivery and penetration of curcumin in brain tissue Not Specified 2 mg/kg In vitro and in vivo with SH-SY5Y and BV-2 cells The hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles had enhanced biostability when compared to curcumin-loaded chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles. Furthermore, these nanoparticles had significantly higher bioaccumulation in brain cells than curcumin-loaded chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles and free curcumin. The synthesized nanoparticles also had comparable anti-inflammatory effects to curcumin-loaded chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles. 101,102
PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with red blood cell (RBC) membranes and tau-PET tracers Synthesize a nanoparticulate system that demonstrates enhanced permeation through the BBB to effectively target hyperphosphorylated tau proteins Not Mentioned Not Mentioned In vitro and in vivo with transgenic mouse models The PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with RBC membranes and tau-PET tracers demonstrated enhanced efficacy in penetrating the BBB and showed a significant affinity for hyperphosphorylated tau. Further in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the synthesized NPs decreased phosphorylated tau levels, neuronal cell death, and memory deficits. 103
PLGA nanoparticles loaded with amyloid-β generation inhibitor (S1) & curcumin, and conjugated with transferrin receptor targeting CRT peptide Implement a nanoparticle delivery system that is capable of overcoming the following limitations posed by free drug delivery for treatment of AD: ineffective BBB penetration, limited bioavailability, and low circulation times 128.6-139.8 nm 0.5 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg In vitro and in vivo studies with SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, BV2 mouse microglial cells, and bEnd.3 mouse-derived brain capillary endothelial cells. Y-maze and object recognition tests showed that the synthesized NPs significantly improved spatial memory in AD transgenic mice. Furthermore, these NPs reduced amyloid-β levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and anti-inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., TNF-α and IL-6). Along with these benefits, the S1 and curcumin loaded PLGA NPs functionalized with CRT restored optimal superoxide dismutase activities and facilitated synaptogenesis in AD mouse brains. 104
PEGylated dendrigraft poly-L-lysine nanoparticles
Develop an interventional nanoparticulate system to downregulate BACE 1, an essential enzyme implicated in the formation of amyloid-β plaques and tau-related fibrils
Not Specified
50 µg
In vitro: brain capillary endothelial cells and SH-SY5Y cells In vivo: APPswe and PSEN1dEP transgenic mice
Successful delivery of the antisense siRNA BACE and tau-related fibril inhibitor peptide was achieved. Furthermore, the PEGylated dendrigraft poly-L-lysine nanoparticles significantly decreased positive BACE 1 signals and phosphorylated-tau levels in AD mouse models.
105