Innovative Nasal Drug Delivery Systems for Effective Brain Targeting and Blood-Brain Barrier Overcoming

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders remain among the most challenging conditions to treat due to the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which significantly limits the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. Traditional systemic drug delivery methods often result in low brain bioavailability and increased systemic side effects. In recent years, intranasal drug delivery has gained attention as a non-invasive and efficient route for targeting the brain, bypassing the BBB and providing faster therapeutic action. Advancements in nasal delivery technologies—such as breath-powered devices, magnetophoretic systems, iontophoresis, and nanocarrier-based formulations—have shown promising results in enhancing drug retention in the brain while minimizing peripheral exposure. These methods support the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, stem cells, and genetic material, making them suitable for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, brain tumors, and other CNS conditions. The evolving field of nasal drug delivery offers significant potential to revolutionize CNS therapeutics by improving treatment efficacy, patient compliance, and safety. Continued research and clinical validation will further establish intranasal delivery as a cornerstone in the management of complex brain disorders.