title: Nano-medicine Improving the Bioavailability of Small Molecules for the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases.
abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, are a heterogeneous group of brain disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system. It is thought that the number of people affected by these pathologies will increase in future decades, particularly in the more economically developed countries, where the populations are experiencing a demographic shift towards older ages. For many of these pathologies, and in particular for Alzheimer's disease, no effective treatments are available, and the consequent economic and social costs are very high. Scientific progress in recent decades has provided a better understanding of the genetic and biological mechanisms responsible for these neurodegenerative diseases, and offers the hope for new therapeutic approaches in the near future. Meanwhile, the lack of effective therapies for these diseases has caused researchers to focus attention on the powerful opportunity of prevention, seen on the one hand as a series of healthcare measures and patient behaviors, and on the other hand as treatments exploiting several molecules or compounds with the potential to slow down the appearance of the first signs of pathology or even to prevent these diseases. Among these, curcumin, flavonoids, such as quercetin, Gingko biloba, and folic acid have attracted the attention of scientists, and ways are being explored to increase their effectiveness and bioavailability in the site of action. Most molecules suffer from problems of solubility, or bioavailability, or the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, and one solution to this limitation being explored is nanomedicine. Polymeric nanoparticles, as well as liposomes, and functionalized nanosystems may overcome several bioavailability limits of active molecules and increase their effectiveness in the brain. This review offers an overview of small molecules that may prove effective in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, and describes the strategies in nanomedicine that are being studied to improve their bioavailability.
authors.affiliation: University of Camerino, School of Pharmacy, Via S. Agostino, 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Martino
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Censi
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gigliobianco
authors.affiliation: LUMC - Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zerrillo
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magnoni
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agas
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Wilma
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Quaglia
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lupidi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D054852:Small Molecule Libraries
keywords: Gingko biloba; Neurodegenerative diseases; curcumin; folic acid; nanomedicine; prevention; quercetin