Nanocarriers as Potential Drug Delivery Candidates for Overcoming the Blood–Brain Barrier: Challenges and Possibilities
Jyoti Ahlawat, Gileydis Guillama Barroso, Shima Masoudi Asil, Melinda Alvarado, Isabela Armendariz, José Ángel Rubio Bernal, Ximena Carabaza, Stephanie Chavez, Paulina Cruz, Vassti Escalante, Savana Estorga, Daniel Fernández, Carolina Ramirez Lozano, Martin Marrufo, Nabeel Ahmad, Sergio Negrete, Karyme Olvera, Ximena Parada, Brianna Portillo, Andrea Ramirez, Raul Ramos, Verónica Rodríguez, Paola Rojas, Jessica Romero, David L. Suarez, Graciela Urueta, Stephanie Viel, Mahesh Narayan
Abstract
The design of a drug that successfully overcomes the constraints imposed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB, which acts as a gatekeeper to the entry of substances into the brain) requires an understanding of the biological firewall. It is also of utmost importance to understand the physicochemical properties of the said drug and how it engages the BBB to avoid undesired side effects. Since fewer than 5% of the tested molecules can pass through the BBB, drug development pertaining to brain-related disorders takes inordinately long to develop. Furthermore, in most cases it is also unsuccessful for allied reasons. Several drug delivery systems (DDSs) have shown excellent potential in drug delivery across the BBB while demonstrating minimal side effects. This mini-review summarizes key features of the BBB, recapitulates recent advances in our understanding of the BBB, and highlights existing strategies for the delivery of drug to the brain parenchyma.