From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative disorders present significant therapeutic challenges, particularly due to the complex nature of drug delivery to the central nervous system. This review investigates the applications of various biopolymers in neuroprotection and their potential role in treating neurodegeneration. W...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Weronika Kruczkowska, Julia Gałęziewska, Katarzyna Helena Grabowska, Piotr Gromek, Karolina Czajkowska, Maciej Rybicki, Mateusz Kciuk, Karol Kamil Kłosiński
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/5/1017
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850030267453931520
author Weronika Kruczkowska
Julia Gałęziewska
Katarzyna Helena Grabowska
Piotr Gromek
Karolina Czajkowska
Maciej Rybicki
Mateusz Kciuk
Karol Kamil Kłosiński
author_facet Weronika Kruczkowska
Julia Gałęziewska
Katarzyna Helena Grabowska
Piotr Gromek
Karolina Czajkowska
Maciej Rybicki
Mateusz Kciuk
Karol Kamil Kłosiński
author_sort Weronika Kruczkowska
collection DOAJ
description Neurodegenerative disorders present significant therapeutic challenges, particularly due to the complex nature of drug delivery to the central nervous system. This review investigates the applications of various biopolymers in neuroprotection and their potential role in treating neurodegeneration. We present a critical analysis of natural and synthetic biopolymers, focusing primarily on chitosan, fish collagen/gelatin, and alginate as key therapeutic agents. The review examines the fundamental mechanisms of brain development and neurodegeneration, establishing a framework for understanding how these biopolymers interact with neural tissues. By analyzing recent experimental studies, we evaluate the effectiveness of different biopolymer-based delivery systems in crossing the blood–brain barrier and their subsequent neuroprotective effects. Additionally, promising materials, including lignin, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, and glucose-modified bovine serum albumin/procyanidin complexes, are briefly explored to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments in the field. Our analysis reveals that biopolymer-based approaches offer unique advantages in both neuroprotection and drug delivery, potentially opening new avenues for treating neurodegenerative conditions. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies promising directions for future research in biopolymer-based therapeutic strategies.
format Article
id doaj-art-6ba1ed5fd85f4ca4be2cf254aee580a0
institution DOAJ
issn 1420-3049
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-6ba1ed5fd85f4ca4be2cf254aee580a02025-08-20T02:59:15ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-02-01305101710.3390/molecules30051017From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and NeurodegenerationWeronika Kruczkowska0Julia Gałęziewska1Katarzyna Helena Grabowska2Piotr Gromek3Karolina Czajkowska4Maciej Rybicki5Mateusz Kciuk6Karol Kamil Kłosiński7Department of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, PolandNeurodegenerative disorders present significant therapeutic challenges, particularly due to the complex nature of drug delivery to the central nervous system. This review investigates the applications of various biopolymers in neuroprotection and their potential role in treating neurodegeneration. We present a critical analysis of natural and synthetic biopolymers, focusing primarily on chitosan, fish collagen/gelatin, and alginate as key therapeutic agents. The review examines the fundamental mechanisms of brain development and neurodegeneration, establishing a framework for understanding how these biopolymers interact with neural tissues. By analyzing recent experimental studies, we evaluate the effectiveness of different biopolymer-based delivery systems in crossing the blood–brain barrier and their subsequent neuroprotective effects. Additionally, promising materials, including lignin, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, and glucose-modified bovine serum albumin/procyanidin complexes, are briefly explored to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments in the field. Our analysis reveals that biopolymer-based approaches offer unique advantages in both neuroprotection and drug delivery, potentially opening new avenues for treating neurodegenerative conditions. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies promising directions for future research in biopolymer-based therapeutic strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/5/1017alginatebiopolymerschitosancollagenneurodegenerationneuroprotection
spellingShingle Weronika Kruczkowska
Julia Gałęziewska
Katarzyna Helena Grabowska
Piotr Gromek
Karolina Czajkowska
Maciej Rybicki
Mateusz Kciuk
Karol Kamil Kłosiński
From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
Molecules
alginate
biopolymers
chitosan
collagen
neurodegeneration
neuroprotection
title From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
title_full From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
title_fullStr From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
title_full_unstemmed From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
title_short From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
title_sort from molecules to mind the critical role of chitosan collagen alginate and other biopolymers in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration
topic alginate
biopolymers
chitosan
collagen
neurodegeneration
neuroprotection
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/5/1017
work_keys_str_mv AT weronikakruczkowska frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT juliagałeziewska frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT katarzynahelenagrabowska frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT piotrgromek frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT karolinaczajkowska frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT maciejrybicki frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT mateuszkciuk frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration
AT karolkamilkłosinski frommoleculestomindthecriticalroleofchitosancollagenalginateandotherbiopolymersinneuroprotectionandneurodegeneration