Nanomaterials: Versatile Drug Carriers for Nanomedicine
271
Transferrin receptor is found to be expressed on higher levels on malignant cells
than that of the normal cells [67]. It is as well found to express on brain capillary
endothelial cells [68]. BBB becomes an obstacle to the delivery of a chemotherapeutic
drug. Thus, the transferrin receptors can be used for successful drug delivery beyond
the BBB. Ulbrich et al. verified that loperamide-loaded human serum albumin NPs,
surface-functionalized with TfR targeting mAbs (R17217 or OX26), could cross
BBB as compared to loperamide alone [69]. Similarly, Gosk et al. have illustrated
that OX26 (anti-transferrin receptor antibody) conjugated liposomes can selectively
target brain capillary endothelial cells [70]. The formulation of liposome is used so
that the liposomes may degrade in the brain capillary endothelial cells, which further
allows liposomal cargo to travel into the brain.
Chitosan NPs have shown encouraging results in drug delivery to the brain via
nasal route due to its excellent native properties such as good biocompatibility,
low toxicity, high loading and entrapment efficiency, and having the potentiality
to deliver hydrophilic molecules. Md et al. have produced chitosan NPs loaded with
bromocriptine (BRC-CS NPs) using an ionic gelation technique with tripolyphosphate (TPP) as an anion [71]. Pharmacodynamic studies have exemplified the potential of BRC-CS NPs in neuroprotective by preventing the rise in cataleptic behavior,
and akinesia score decreased sharply in haloperidol-induced swiss albino mice model
of Parkinson’s disease. The pharmacokinetic studies and biodistribution showed high
brain/blood ratios of intranasal BRC-CS NPs, indicating direct transport of BRC from
nose to brain along trigeminal nerve pathways or olfactory bypassing the BBB.
Nano neurotechnology is the application of nanotechnology in drug delivery for
the treatment of Neurodegenerative disorders. There is a demand for the development
of diverse therapeutic approaches to provide optimal treatments. The used surface
engineered nano-carrier system for the delivery through passive and active targeting
would be beneficial to promote progress in this field.
11 Nanotechnology in Gene Delivery
Various genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes mellitus,
alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, etc. may be treated by the transfer of genetic material
with the help of nano-carriers. Such systemic diseases are caused by the absence of
enzymes, mainly due to missing or gene defects [72]. Apart from using gene therapy
to treat genetic disorders, nowadays, these could be used as a carrier system that could
be implanted to fight against other diseases like cancer, nervous conditions, cardiac
ailments, etc. Nanoliposomes can be used for genetic material transfer into the cells.
PEG and galactose incorporated nanoliposomes could target liver cells with efficient
due to the prompt uptake by the Kupffer cells. Such type of therapy could be used to
treat liver disorders like Wilson’s and hereditary hemochromatosis. In another effective method, nanoliposomes can be administered using a ligand-receptor complex
system where small protein EGF binds with receptor EGFR. In another approach,
instead of encapsulating negatively charged plasmid DNA with nanoliposomes, they
271
Transferrin receptor is found to be expressed on higher levels on malignant cells
than that of the normal cells [67]. It is as well found to express on brain capillary
endothelial cells [68]. BBB becomes an obstacle to the delivery of a chemotherapeutic
drug. Thus, the transferrin receptors can be used for successful drug delivery beyond
the BBB. Ulbrich et al. verified that loperamide-loaded human serum albumin NPs,
surface-functionalized with TfR targeting mAbs (R17217 or OX26), could cross
BBB as compared to loperamide alone [69]. Similarly, Gosk et al. have illustrated
that OX26 (anti-transferrin receptor antibody) conjugated liposomes can selectively
target brain capillary endothelial cells [70]. The formulation of liposome is used so
that the liposomes may degrade in the brain capillary endothelial cells, which further
allows liposomal cargo to travel into the brain.
Chitosan NPs have shown encouraging results in drug delivery to the brain via
nasal route due to its excellent native properties such as good biocompatibility,
low toxicity, high loading and entrapment efficiency, and having the potentiality
to deliver hydrophilic molecules. Md et al. have produced chitosan NPs loaded with
bromocriptine (BRC-CS NPs) using an ionic gelation technique with tripolyphosphate (TPP) as an anion [71]. Pharmacodynamic studies have exemplified the potential of BRC-CS NPs in neuroprotective by preventing the rise in cataleptic behavior,
and akinesia score decreased sharply in haloperidol-induced swiss albino mice model
of Parkinson’s disease. The pharmacokinetic studies and biodistribution showed high
brain/blood ratios of intranasal BRC-CS NPs, indicating direct transport of BRC from
nose to brain along trigeminal nerve pathways or olfactory bypassing the BBB.
Nano neurotechnology is the application of nanotechnology in drug delivery for
the treatment of Neurodegenerative disorders. There is a demand for the development
of diverse therapeutic approaches to provide optimal treatments. The used surface
engineered nano-carrier system for the delivery through passive and active targeting
would be beneficial to promote progress in this field.
11 Nanotechnology in Gene Delivery
Various genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes mellitus,
alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, etc. may be treated by the transfer of genetic material
with the help of nano-carriers. Such systemic diseases are caused by the absence of
enzymes, mainly due to missing or gene defects [72]. Apart from using gene therapy
to treat genetic disorders, nowadays, these could be used as a carrier system that could
be implanted to fight against other diseases like cancer, nervous conditions, cardiac
ailments, etc. Nanoliposomes can be used for genetic material transfer into the cells.
PEG and galactose incorporated nanoliposomes could target liver cells with efficient
due to the prompt uptake by the Kupffer cells. Such type of therapy could be used to
treat liver disorders like Wilson’s and hereditary hemochromatosis. In another effective method, nanoliposomes can be administered using a ligand-receptor complex
system where small protein EGF binds with receptor EGFR. In another approach,
instead of encapsulating negatively charged plasmid DNA with nanoliposomes, they