A Critical Review of Nanosponge Based Formulation System from The perspective of Brain Targeted Drug Delivery

Brain tumor causes of millions of life every year due to poor treatment options. The blood-brain barrier prevents most of the treatment molecules to reach the tumor region. Tight junctions within adjacent brain endothelial cell lines including other components make the brain highly impermeable to all the unwanted and foreign materials. The antineoplastic drug molecules which has a molecular weight of less than 400 daltons and have less than 8 hydrogen bonds are only able to access the brain without any hindrance. Hence, most of the small and large anti-cancer drug molecules hardly can cross the barrier. To overcome these problems formulation scientists have adopted various strategies and techniques so that the intended drug molecule can reach the target region of the brain tumor. Among them nanosponges drug delivery is highly appreciated as emerging brain tumor targeted drug delivery. Nanosponges are tiny sponge in the size of nano range with a vesicle filled with various types of drugs. These kinds of the formulation can circulate throughout the blood and reach the target region where drugs are released in a controlled manner. This review article highlights the unique features of blood-brain barrier and novel strategies based on drug formulation to access the core of the brain tumor by overcoming the resistance rendered by blood brain barrier. In addition, it also demonstrates how nanosponges is emerging as one of the best options to prevail over various challenges associated with penetration of the blood-brain barrier.