COPPER NANOPARTICLES USED IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD’s) are devastating heterogeneous diseases, in which
degeneration of axons, neurons in the central nervous system that causes oxidative stress and abnormalities in
cellular functions in the brain results in Alzheimer's diseases, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's diseases, the
three major neurodegenerative diseases and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Prion diseases, Friedreich ataxia. Many
drugs are available for treatment of these diseases, but the restrictive nature of Blood-Brain Barriers (BBB), the vital
boundary between neural tissue and circulating blood creates an obstacle preventing entry of drug into the brain. By
overcoming BBB and also due to physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles, Nanoparticle mediated drug
delivery plays a significant role in enhancing the amount and concentration of therapeutic compounds in brain in
treating NDD’s. Copper, an essential element for human body founded many applications in nanotechnology due to
its low cost, high elimination capacity from the body
Objective:This review aims to highlight the recent proposed copper nanoparticles used in neurodegenerative
diseases. This review begins with a brief history of nanoparticles, their types, synthesis and gives an insight to
understand the applications of copper nanoparticles in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's
disease. This review touches on the current status of nanotechnology in treating NDDs.
Conclusion:Finally, the review gives significance of copper nanoparticles in therapy of NDD’s besides the
drawbacks and toxic manifestations as neurotoxicity. Novel physicochemical characteristics of copper nanoparticles
are producing new engineering applications in treating NDDs. Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the leading
fields of science having huge applications and becoming ideal therapy in early diagnosis and treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases or cancer.