Nanoparticles for the treatment of spinal cord injury

• Published in: Neural regeneration research Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 1665 - 1680
• Main Authors: Yang, Qiwei, Lu, Di, Wu, Jiuping, Liang, Fuming, Wang, Huayi, Yang, Junjie, Zhang, Ganggang, Wang, Chen, Yang, Yanlian, Zhu, Ling, Sun, Xinzhi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.06.2025; Department of Orthopedic Surgery,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University,Zhengzhou,Henan Province,China; Department of Neurosurgery,The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing,China%CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology,CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety,CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience,National Center for Nanoscience and Technology,Beijing,China; CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology,CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety,CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience,National Center for Nanoscience and Technology,Beijing,China%Department of Orthopedic Surgery,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University,Zhengzhou,Henan Province,China%CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology,CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety,CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience,National Center for Nanoscience and Technology,Beijing,China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing,China; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: antioxidants; axon regeneration; biocompatible materials; drug carriers; Nanoparticles; nerve regeneration; neuroinflammatory diseases; neuroprotection; Review; Spinal cord injuries; spinal cord injury; stem cells; drug carriers; spinal cord injury; stem cells; nanoparticles; neuroinflammatory diseases; antioxidants; neuroprotection; axon regeneration; biocompatible materials; nerve regeneration
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958
• DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01848

Spinal cord injuries lead to significant loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions, presenting major challenges in neural regeneration. Achieving effective therapeutic concentrations at injury sites has been a slow process, partly due to the difficulty of delivering drugs effectively. Nanoparticles, with their targeted delivery capabilities, biocompatibility, and enhanced bioavailability over conventional drugs, are garnering attention for spinal cord injury treatment. This review explores the current mechanisms and shortcomings of existing treatments, highlighting the benefits and progress of nanoparticle-based approaches. We detail nanoparticle delivery methods for spinal cord injury, including local and intravenous injections, oral delivery, and biomaterial-assisted implantation, alongside strategies such as drug loading and surface modification. The discussion extends to how nanoparticles aid in reducing oxidative stress, dampening inflammation, fostering neural regeneration, and promoting angiogenesis. We summarize the use of various types of nanoparticles for treating spinal cord injuries, including metallic, polymeric, protein-based, inorganic non-metallic, and lipid nanoparticles. We also discuss the challenges faced, such as biosafety, effectiveness in humans, precise dosage control, standardization of production and characterization, immune responses, and targeted delivery in vivo . Additionally, we explore future directions, such as improving biosafety, standardizing manufacturing and characterization processes, and advancing human trials. Nanoparticles have shown considerable progress in targeted delivery and enhancing treatment efficacy for spinal cord injuries, presenting significant potential for clinical use and drug development.