Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, significantly impact patients' quality of life and impose substantial economic burdens on society. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the effective delivery of most therapeutic drugs, especially natural products, despite their potential therapeutic effects. The Trojan Horse strategy, using nanotechnology to disguise drugs as "cargo", enables them to bypass the BBB, enhancing targeting and therapeutic efficacy. This review explores the applications of natural products in the treatment of CNS diseases, discusses the challenges posed by the BBB, and analyzes the advantages and limitations of the Trojan Horse strategy. Despite the existing technical challenges, future research is expected to enhance the application of natural drugs in CNS treatment by integrating nanotechnology, improving delivery mechanisms, and optimizing targeting characteristics.
Overview
- The main focus of the study is to explore the applications of natural products in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, specifically brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
- The study aims to discuss the challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the advantages and limitations of the Trojan Horse strategy, which uses nanotechnology to deliver drugs to the brain.
- The primary objective is to analyze the integration of nanotechnology and natural products to enhance the treatment of CNS diseases, despite the existing technical challenges.
Comparative Analysis & Findings
- Natural products have therapeutic effects in treating CNS diseases, but their delivery is limited by the BBB.
- The Trojan Horse strategy, using nanotechnology, enables drugs to bypass the BBB, enhancing targeting and therapeutic efficacy.
- Despite the challenges posed by the BBB, natural products can be used as effective treatment options for CNS diseases when combined with nanotechnology and optimized delivery mechanisms.
Implications and Future Directions
- Future research should focus on integrating nanotechnology, improving delivery mechanisms, and optimizing targeting characteristics to enhance the application of natural drugs in CNS treatment.
- The development of effective natural product-based therapies for CNS diseases will require ongoing research and innovation in nanotechnology and drug delivery.
- Advances in these areas may lead to improved treatment options and better quality of life for patients with CNS diseases.