African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2285

Review

Nanotechnology: A non-invasive diagnosis and therapeutic tool for brain disorders

Amit Alexander
  • Amit Alexander
  • Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kohka-Kurud Road, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India, 490 024.
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Sabahuddin Siddique
  • Sabahuddin Siddique
  • Patel College of Pharmacy, Madhyanchal Professional University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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Mukta Agrawal
  • Mukta Agrawal
  • Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kohka-Kurud Road, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India, 490 024.
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Ajazuddin
  • Ajazuddin
  • Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kohka-Kurud Road, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India, 490 024.
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Ahmed M. Shehata
  • Ahmed M. Shehata
  • Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Mahmoud A. Shaker
  • Mahmoud A. Shaker
  • Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Syed Ata Ur Rahman
  • Syed Ata Ur Rahman
  • Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Mohi Iqbal M Abdul
  • Mohi Iqbal M Abdul
  • Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Mohamed A. Shaker
  • Mohamed A. Shaker
  • Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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  •  Received: 01 February 2019
  •  Accepted: 16 April 2019
  •  Published: 08 June 2019

Abstract

Presently, nanotechnology appears as a powerful and innovative tool in the medical field. It has various advantages over the conventional drug therapy such as therapeutic specificity, has less side effects, reduces dose of drug, has more precise treatment and can access the inaccessible areas of the body like brain, tumor cells, etc. The human brain is the most complicated part of the body which is highly protected with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the other protective measures of the body. The available treatments for brain disorder are highly invasive (parenteral or surgical procedures) in nature or cause high peripheral toxicity (oral administration). Thus, a prominent strategy is needed which can easily approach the brain and offers a more specific treatment. Nanomedicines are effective tools used for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

Key words: Brain, neurodegenerative disorders, nanotechnology, gold nanoparticle, quantum dots.