Prevention of Protein Glycation by Nanoparticles: Potential Applications in T2DM and Associated Neurodegenerative Diseases

Glycation is the non-enzymatic covalent attachment of a sugar (carbohydrate) to a protein or lipid molecule. This process leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which bind to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and facilitate further disease progression. Understanding the mechanisms for AGE formation in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and neurodegenerative diseases can help target pathways that either facilitate AGE formation or the pathways that upregulate RAGE expression and activation. Several researchers have embarked on targeting these pathways either directly or indirectly. Nanoparticle (NP)–based approaches prove to be advantageous due to their modifiable surface properties, high biocompatibility and bioavailability in the body, minimal side effects and efficient blood–brain barrier permeability. Various drugs or therapeutic components can be encapsulated within them for targeted drug delivery. NPs explored in this study significantly brought down the overall reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inhibited glycation and further fibrillation of particular proteins and increased cell viability. In this review, we discuss NPs that have shown a significant antiglycation property, ROS scavenging activity and blood–brain barrier permeability along with an ability to inhibit secondary structure changes and aggregation of proteins. However, clinical utility of these NPs still remains unclear as there is no clinical evidence to show that targeting of glycation with NP-based drug delivery systems could be a therapy for T2DM and reduce the risk of associated neurodegenerative diseases. Extensive research related to NPs with antiglycation properties may be a very successful approach for the treatment of T2DM and associated neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.