Nanomedicinal Strategies as Emerging Therapeutic Avenues to Treat and Manage Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Amongst the various diseases on a global scale, the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity is ischemic stroke due to the unavailability of an effective therapy. With the growing occurrence and its related health risks along with the absence of effective therapeutics, ischemic stroke demands the continued and intensive research to explore effective and safe therapeutics. These therapies may positively affect the numerous pathways associated with neuroprotection, thus, extending the advantages to a larger population of stroke patients. Several preclinical studies employing neuroprotectants have shown promising outcomes, but failed in clinical trials either because of the lack of safety or efficacy. The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) restricts the delivery of various potent neuroprotectants to the specific areas of the brain. The application of nanovehicles for the delivery of drugs in the brain, however, could revolutionize the treatment of ischemic stroke. These nanovehicles loaded with the drug could readily traverse the BBB via carrier, receptor and adsorptive-mediated endocytosis into the brain without compromising the integrity of the BBB. Recent advances in neuronanotherapeutics have resulted in improved neuronal regeneration and recovery after ischemic stroke. In this review, we have attempted to discuss unexploited neuronanotherapeutics potentials to treat and manage ischemic stroke.

Keywords: Blood-brain barrier; drug delivery; nanotechnology; nanotherapeutics; neuroprotection; stroke..