Applications of bionanomaterials in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are mainly characterized by progressive neuronal loss, and pose a significant healthcare burden due to limited treatment options and the inefficacy of drugs at the target site within the brain. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) presents a major challenge by restricting drug delivery, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review article, we explore the growing field of bionanomaterials for ND treatments. Biomaterials and biofunctionalized nanomaterials mimic biological systems and offer unique properties that help overcome existing drug delivery limitations. Different bionanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, exosomes, carbon-based nanomaterials, dendrimers, polymeric nanomaterials and short peptides have been explored in the treatment of NDs. We assess clinical and preclinical evidence on bionanomaterials and discuss their therapeutic potential. Metallic nanoparticles like gold, silver, and cerium oxide (CeO₂) exhibit neuroprotective effects and hold promise for enabling drug delivery across the BBB. Liposomes and exosomes, natural vesicles, are efficient and biocompatible drug carriers, while dendrimers and synthetic polymers offer targeted drug delivery and controlled release capabilities. We further investigated the role of quantum dots (QDs) and explored diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies in NDs with tunable fluorescence properties. Peptides, short protein chains, can specifically target protein misfolding, a key pathological feature in many NDs. Micelles, assemblies of surfactant molecules, are being developed for enhanced drug delivery across the BBB. Despite significant advancements in the use of bionanomaterials for ND applications, several challenges remain, particularly in their application to neuroscience. We further investigate the importance of elucidating nanoparticle toxicity profiles and optimizing BBB penetration as a crucial factor for clinical translation. Future research should focus on the development of biocompatible and targeted bionanomaterials with enhanced therapeutic efficacy. This review highlights the potential of bionanomaterials to revolutionize ND treatment by facilitating targeted drug delivery and advanced therapeutic interventions.