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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

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.

Details

Title
From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
Author
Kruczkowska, Weronika 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Gałęziewska, Julia 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Grabowska, Katarzyna Helena 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Gromek, Piotr 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Czajkowska, Karolina 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Rybicki, Maciej 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Kciuk, Mateusz 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Karol Kamil Kłosiński 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland 
 Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland 
 Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland 
 Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland; Biomaterials Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland 
First page
1017
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
14203049
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3176381023
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.