Herbal Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, prion disease, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich ataxia, and Huntington’s disease can severely affect or damage any brain areas. The exact cause and mechanism of NDs are unknown; however, various underlying molecular mechanisms and chemical processes have been proposed. Because of the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a tightly compacted system of blood arteries and endothelial cells that works to restrict the admittance of undesired substances into the brain, the approaches associated with the designing and advancement of new treatments for neurodegenerative illnesses are exceedingly complicated and demanding. Nanotechnology’s implementation and diverse progress offer promising potential for overcoming this issue. Nanotechnology has been one of the approaches that have changed human existence in numerous aspects and are an effective strategy that helps counteract the numerous restrictions of different illnesses, notably NDs. NPs can penetrate the BBB and deliver bioactive molecules to specific brain areas, reducing adverse reactions. Multiple therapeutic drugs might benefit from adding nanostructured materials such as polymeric/lipid nanoparticles (PNPs), nano-liposomes, nano-micelles, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to boost their effectiveness and performance along with minimizing adverse effects, prolonging the shelf life, and enhancing pharmacokinetics. The conjugates of nanoparticles (NPs) and traditional herbal plant bioactives (such as curcumin, berberine, quercetin, lycopene, thymoquinone, ferulic acid, and others) have recently gained importance in the creation of innovative neuro-therapeutics due to its universal availability, low cost, ability to allow potentially specific targeting of supply to the brain, and relatively low possibility for adverse outcomes. Furthermore, recent findings have shown that multiple plant-based compounds have remarkable neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and reduced neuroinflammatory characteristics that help combat a wide range of NDs. This chapter discusses herbal therapeutics with remarkable potency in NDs, as well as documented herbal bioactive-loaded NP-based methods of delivery. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Anurag Kumar Singh, Vivek K. Chaturvedi, and Jay Singh; individual chapters, the contributors.