Advances in designing of polymeric micelles for biomedical application in brain related diseases

In recent years, unique physicochemical properties of amphiphilic block copolymers have been utilized to design the polymeric micelles for brain-specific delivery of drugs, proteins, peptides and genes. Their unique properties such as nano-size, charge-switching ability, stimuli-responsive cargo release, flexible structure, and self-assembly enable them to overcome limitations of conventional dosage forms that include rapid drug release, drug efflux, and poor brain bioavailability, and poor stability. These limitations hinder their therapeutic efficacy in treating brain diseases. Their ease of functionalization and enhanced penetration and retention effect make them suitable nanocarriers for the diagnosis of various brain diseases. In this context, the present manuscript provides an insight into the progress made in the functionalization of micelles such as the incorporation of stimuli-sensitive moieties in copolymers, conjugation of cargo molecules with the core-forming block via responsive smart linkers, and conjugation of active ligands and imaging moieties with the corona forming block for brain targeting and imaging. Further, the review also expounds on the role of polymeric micelles in delivering neurotherapeutic to the brain. Some patents related to polymeric micelles formulated for brain delivery are also enlisted. •Various barriers affecting effective targeting of drugs to brain are discussed.•Design of ABCs along with critical factors involved in formation of desired APMs.•Chemical and physical methods employed for the formation of optimized APMs.•Importance of functionalization of APMs with case studies is discussed.•Applications of APMs contributing to their role in targeting brain diseases is detailed.