Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), as part of a research collaboration, have created nanoactuators to transport drugs into the brain via olfactory receptors, according to the TPU press service.
“The research results show that the development has precisely targeted action and can be controlled remotely using safe doses of a magnetic field,” the statement said.
The scientists developed core-shell type nanoactuators that convert electrical energy into mechanical movement. The nanostructure consists of a manganese ferrite core and a shell of ferroelectric perovskite, which changes its properties under the influence of an electric field. This gives the nanoactuators a strong magneto-electric response, enabling the electrostimulation of cells and tissues using an external magnetic field that is safe for them.
“The key is that the entire synthesis process takes place without additional high-temperature treatment—annealing. This minimizes the formation of large particles, which would hinder further targeted movement,” noted the head of the research, Roman Chernozem.
The scientists tested the development on in vitro cultures of human brain cells, ex vivo on mouse hippocampus slices, and in vivo on the olfactory system of mice. Research showed that the nanoparticles are easily absorbed by neurons, which helps deliver drugs from the nose to the brain more quickly. At the same time, the function of the nasal tissue is not impaired.
Due to precise localization, controlled delivery, and non-invasive nature, the nanoscale stimulators ensure high efficacy of intranasal delivery of biomolecules and drugs for treating both neurodegenerative and oncological diseases, the press service emphasized.
The research was conducted by scientists from Russia, Portugal, and China. The results were published in the Journal of Controlled Release.