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Diseases

Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy: Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System Shows Promise

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Government College University Faisalabad have made a significant discovery in the fight against Alzheimer's disease (AD) by developing a novel multi-strategy drug delivery system. The system, known as SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs, utilizes photothermal conversion polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) decorated with sialic acid-modified bovine serum albumin (SA-BSA) to target the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and co-load photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) and berberine (BBR) to target multiple neuropathological factors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs had spherical morphology with a uniform particle size of 143.43 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.095, indicating optimal size and stability.
  • The drug loading capacities of MB and BBR were 6.98 % and 3.50 %, respectively, demonstrating high efficacy in drug delivery.
  • The cellular uptake efficiency of biocompatible SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs increased by 1.74 times when combined with photothermal and photodynamic therapy, effectively inhibiting Ab aggregation, Ab fibril depolymerization, and tau hyperphosphorylation.
  • Pharmacokinetics and in vivo biodistribution studies revealed a higher area under the curve (AUC) of SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs (9.75 and 7.52 times higher) than free MB and BBR, indicating enhanced bioavailability and targeting of the BBB.
  • The research concluded that SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs have the potential to be an effective treatment for AD.

Statistics:

  • Uniform particle size of 143.43 nm
  • PDI value of 0.095
  • Drug loading capacity of 6.98 % for MB
  • Drug loading capacity of 3.50 % for BBR
  • Cellular uptake efficiency increased by 1.74 times
  • AUC value of SA-BP-MB/BBR NPs (9.75 and 7.52 times higher)
  • Targeting of BBB and neuropathological factors: Ab aggregation, Ab fibril depolymerization, and tau hyperphosphorylation

Sources:

  • Near-infrared light-triggered methylene blue/berberine co-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles modified with sialic acid for Alzheimer's disease therapy. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2025;698:138083.
  • Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Colloid and Interface Science - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-colloid-and-interface-science/)
  • Government College University Faisalabad, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

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