Nanotechnology and Secondary Metabolites

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, are pressing global health challenges characterized by complex pathologies and limited treatment options. This chapter explores the synergistic potential of nanotechnology and secondary metabolites to address these challenges. Secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroregenerative properties, making them promising candidates for therapeutic intervention. However, their clinical application is hindered by low bioavailability and poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions by enabling precise drug delivery, enhancing stability, and facilitating BBB crossing through advanced nanocarriers like liposomes, nanoparticles, and dendrimers. Case studies on nano-enabled formulations, including curcumin, piperine, resveratrol, etc, demonstrate significant efficacy in preclinical neurodegenerative models.