ROS-removing nano-medicine for navigating inflammatory microenvironment to enhance anti-epileptic therapy

As a neurological disorder in the brain, epilepsy is not only associated with abnormal syn-chronized discharging of neurons, but also inseparable from non-neuronal elements in the altered micro -environment. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) merely focusing on neuronal circuits frequently turn out deficient, which is necessitating comprehensive strategies of medications to cover over-exciting neurons, activated glial cells, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation synchronously. Therefore, we would report the design of a polymeric micelle drug delivery system that was functioned with brain targeting and ce-rebral microenvironment modulation. In brief, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive phenylboronic ester was conjugated with poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) to form amphiphilic copolymers. Additionally, de-hydroascorbic acid (DHAA), an analogue of glucose, was applied to target glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and facilitate micelle penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A classic hydrophobic AED, lamotrigine (LTG), was encapsulated in the micelles via self-assembly. When administrated and transferred across the BBB, ROS-scavenging polymers were expected to integrate anti-oxidation, anti -inflammation and neuro-electric modulation into one strategy. Moreover, micelles would alter LTG dis-tribution in vivo with improved efficacy. Overall, the combined anti-epileptic therapy might provide effec-tive opinions on how to maximize neuroprotection during early epileptogenesis. (c) 2023 Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal synchronized discharging of neurons. It is also influenced by non-neuronal elements in the altered microenvironment. Current anti-epileptic drugs mainly target neuronal circuits, but are often insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive strategies in medication to address over-exciting neurons, activated glial cells, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation.