In a groundbreaking development, researchers have devised a novel way to treat brain tuberculosis (CNS-TB) by delivering drugs directly to the brain, bypassing the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB). This innovative approach, which utilizes chitosan-based nanoparticles, offers new hope for tackling a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates.
Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is one of the most severe forms of tuberculosis, often causing serious complications or death. One of the primary obstacles in treating this condition is the inability of traditional TB medications to effectively penetrate the BBB, a natural defense mechanism that blocks many drugs from reaching the brain. As a result, even high doses of oral anti-TB drugs often fail to achieve therapeutic concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, limiting their effectiveness.
To address this challenge, scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a unique drug delivery technique. The team, led by Rahul Kumar Verma, along with researchers Krishna Jadhav, Agrim Jhilta, Raghuraj Singh, Eupa Ray, Vimal Kumar, Awadh Yadav, and Amit Kumar Singh, used chitosan nanoparticles to transport TB medicines directly to the brain via the nasal route.
Nano-Aggregates Offer Targeted Treatment for Brain TB
The research team utilized chitosan—a biocompatible, biodegradable material known for its mucoadhesive properties—to create nano-aggregates. These tiny clusters of nanoparticles can efficiently carry TB drugs such as isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). The drug delivery system uses a nose-to-brain (N2B) pathway, leveraging the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways in the nasal cavity to bypass the BBB and improve drug bioavailability in brain tissues.
Because chitosan adheres to the nasal mucosa, the nano-aggregates remain in place longer, allowing for a sustained release of medication. The spray-drying process used to form these aggregates ensures they are stable, easy to administer, and capable of efficient absorption into brain tissue. This method offers a more precise and targeted approach to treating CNS-TB.
Promising Results from Lab and Animal Tests
During laboratory tests, the chitosan nano-aggregates demonstrated superior adherence to nasal tissues and significantly enhanced drug delivery compared to conventional TB treatments. When tested on mice infected with TB, the nasal delivery of the nano-aggregates reduced bacterial levels in the brain by nearly 1,000 times compared to untreated mice, underscoring the effectiveness of this approach.
This study, published in the Nanoscale journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry, marks the first successful attempt to treat brain TB using nasal delivery of nano-aggregates. In addition to ensuring effective drug delivery, the treatment also helped reduce inflammation caused by the infection.
Potential Applications Beyond Brain TB
The implications of this breakthrough extend beyond CNS-TB. The nose-to-brain delivery method could revolutionize treatment for various brain disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, brain tumors, and epilepsy. By enabling efficient drug delivery to the brain, this technology opens new avenues for addressing several hard-to-treat neurological conditions.
This discovery holds the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes for individuals suffering from brain TB and other brain-related diseases, paving the way for faster recovery and reduced mortality.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)