Scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) used tiny particles made of a natural material called chitosan
Delivering tuberculosis drugs to the brain is a complicated proposition thanks to the presence of the blood brain barrier – a membrane that prevents parts of the brain to come in direct contact with blood.
In an exciting new development, researchers have created a unique way to deliver Tuberculosis (TB) medicines directly to the brain bypassing the challenging blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits the effectiveness of many brain TB medicines. This innovative drug delivery method can effectively treat brain TB, a life-threatening condition with high mortality rate.
Scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) used tiny particles made of a natural material called chitosan, to deliver TB medicines directly to the brain through the nose. Tuberculosis (TB) that affects the brain, called Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB), is one of the most dangerous forms of TB, often leading to severe complications or death.
By delivering the drug through the nasal route, the nano-aggregates can transport the drugs directly into the brain, significantly improving drug bioavailability at the infection site.
Besides, chitosan is known for its mucoadhesive properties, and sticks to the nasal mucosa, which helps the nano-aggregates stay in place and prolongs the time they can release the drug, enhancing its therapeutic effectiveness.
The spray-drying process used to form the nano-aggregates also ensures that they are stable, easy to administer intranasally, and can be efficiently absorbed into the brain tissues.
