Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to Create Advanced Therapeutics for Neurological Disorders and Neurosensory Pathologies

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2023) | Viewed by 4934

Special Issue Editors

Biotechnology and Drug Development Research Laboratory, Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Interests: bioengineering; nanotechnology; biomaterials; pharmaceutical technology; clinical research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Biotechnology and Drug Development Research Laboratory, Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Interests: bile acid nanotechnology; PK/PD; biomaterials; drug commercialization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in the therapeutics of neurological disorders have brought to light the need for modernised, advanced therapeutic delivery systems for controlled, targeted distribution to the site of action. Often in neuropharmacology, the site of interest is physiologically impenetrable to traditional drug delivery platforms and formulations due to (1) biological/physiological barriers, (2) abundance of drug efflux transporters hostile to xenobiotics and (3) anatomical restrictions resulting in inadvertent loss of drug, low drug perfusion and poor uptake to tissues. In particular, an emerging role of bioengineering and nanotechnology is gaining momentum in the realm of hearing and balance disorders and other neurosensory pathologies. The aetiology of such disorders manifests from deep in the cochlea and inner ear, and stems from damages to nerves and associated supporting structures. Given the anatomical and physiological barriers of the inner ear, advanced technologies need to be deployed to effectively deliver (1) drugs and (2) biologicals such as viral vectors, plasmids, and oligonucleotides in order to ameliorate neural pathologies and dysfunction. Traditional approaches of pharmaceutical sciences cannot be extrapolated to the delivery of biotherapeutics to treat neurological disorders, thus the need to accelerate research incorporating novel bioengineering and nanotechnology systems. The purpose of this Special Issue to is consolidate and facilitate novel therapeutic approaches in the management of neurological disorders, including but not limited to neurosensory hearing loss, balance disorders and pathologies leading to CNS diseases, as well as inflammatory conditions and oxidative stress leading to neurological pathophysiologies. 

Dr. Armin Mooranian
Dr. Hani Al-Salami
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hearing and balance disorders
  • neurology
  • neuropharmacology
  • bioengineering
  • nanotechnology
  • clinical

Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 19099 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Accelerated Temperature-Controlled Stability Systems on the Release Profile of Primary Bile Acid-Based Delivery Microcapsules
by Armin Mooranian, Louise Carey, Corina Mihaela Ionescu, Daniel Walker, Melissa Jones, Susbin Raj Wagle, Bozica Kovacevic, Thomas Foster, Jacqueline Chester, Edan Johnston, Momir Mikov and Hani Al-Salami
Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(10), 1667; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13101667 - 12 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1736
Abstract
Introduction: Bile acid-based drug encapsulation for oral delivery has been recently explored in our laboratory and has shown to be beneficial in terms of drug-targeted delivery and release profile, but stability at various temperatures has not previously been examined; hence, this is the [...] Read more.
Introduction: Bile acid-based drug encapsulation for oral delivery has been recently explored in our laboratory and has shown to be beneficial in terms of drug-targeted delivery and release profile, but stability at various temperatures has not previously been examined; hence, this is the aim of this study. Methods: Various types of bile acid-based microcapsules containing the drug metformin were produced and tested for accelerated temperature-controlled profiles, as well as morphology, elemental composition, drug content, resilience, floatability, wettability and release profiles at various pH values. Results: Accelerated temperature-controlled analysis showed negligible effects on morphology, size, or shape at very low temperatures (below 0 °C), while higher temperatures (above 25 °C) caused alterations. Drug contents, morphology and elemental composition remained similar, while wettability and the release profiles showed formulation-dependent effects. Discussion and Conclusion: Results suggest that bile acid-based microcapsules containing metformin are affected by temperature; hence, their shelf life is likely to be affected by storage temperature, all of which have a direct impact on drug release and stability profiles. Full article
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25 pages, 1013 KiB  
Review
The Exosome-Mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Neurological Diseases
by Amin Iranpanah, Leila Kooshki, Seyed Zachariah Moradi, Luciano Saso, Sajad Fakhri and Haroon Khan
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15031006 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2625
Abstract
As major public health concerns associated with a rapidly growing aging population, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and neurological diseases are important causes of disability and mortality. Neurological diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress are [...] Read more.
As major public health concerns associated with a rapidly growing aging population, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and neurological diseases are important causes of disability and mortality. Neurological diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the main players of NDDs and have critical roles in neurodegenerative processes. During the aforementioned inflammatory/apoptotic/oxidative stress procedures, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role. Considering the functional and structural aspects of the blood–brain barrier, drug delivery to the central nervous system is relatively challenging. Exosomes are nanoscale membrane-bound carriers that can be secreted by cells and carry several cargoes, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. Exosomes significantly take part in the intercellular communications due to their specific features including low immunogenicity, flexibility, and great tissue/cell penetration capabilities. Due to their ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, these nano-sized structures have been introduced as proper vehicles for central nervous system drug delivery by multiple studies. In the present systematic review, we highlight the potential therapeutic effects of exosomes in the context of NDDs and neurological diseases by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Full article
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