Nanoparticles for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Neural Regeneration Research, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01848 · Published: June 1, 2025

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are devastating, leading to loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Current treatments have limitations, especially in delivering drugs effectively to the injury site. Nanoparticles offer a promising solution because they can be designed for targeted drug delivery, are biocompatible, and improve how well the body can use the drugs compared to traditional methods. This review explores how nanoparticles can help reduce oxidative stress, lessen inflammation, support nerve regeneration, and promote the growth of new blood vessels in the injured spinal cord.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Nanoparticles can effectively cross the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), allowing drugs to reach the injury site more efficiently than traditional methods.
2
Metal nanoparticles, such as cerium oxide, manganese oxide, and zinc oxide, can mitigate oxidative stress by altering the valence states of their metal ions.
3
Liposomes, as drug delivery carriers that closely resemble the natural cell membrane, are highly effective at protecting encapsulated drugs and promoting endocytosis.

Research Summary

This review examines the benefits of using nanoparticles for SCI treatment and investigates the pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches of SCI. The review highlights various nanoparticles' roles in SCI treatment and the mechanisms by which they operate, such as metal nanoparticles regulating intracellular oxidative stress and polymer nanoparticles acting as drug carriers. Despite identifying numerous nanoparticles for SCI treatment, their clinical or preclinical applications are still limited, emphasizing the need to address challenges associated with efficacy, toxicity, safety, and standardization.

Practical Implications

Targeted Drug Delivery

Nanoparticles can be engineered to specifically target the spinal cord injury site, reducing drug accumulation in other organs and minimizing side effects.

Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy

By encapsulating drugs within nanoparticles, the stability, solubility, and transmembrane transport of therapeutic agents can be improved, leading to enhanced bioavailability and treatment outcomes.

Multifunctional Therapies

Nanoparticles can be designed to simultaneously address multiple aspects of SCI pathology, such as reducing inflammation, neutralizing oxidative stress, and promoting nerve regeneration, resulting in more comprehensive and effective treatments.

Study Limitations

1
The review omits lesser-known nanoparticles like micelles and quantum dots.
2
Space constraints also limited the discussion on implantable biomaterials bound with nanoparticles.
3
Most studies to date have primarily used rodent models for SCI therapy.

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