Nanotherapeutic approaches for managing phospholipase-mediated neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases

Nanotechnological advances are gradually entering all domains of life and the field of medicine is no different. The term “Nanotechnology” encompasses engineering materials/technologies with functional dimensions in the nanoscale (1–100 nm) and, when this is combined with the fact that most biological functional molecules/cellular structures also fall into this size range, a whole new world of possibilities can be envisioned. Keeping in view this idea, this chapter explores the role that nanotechnology can play in the treatment of human disorders that are characterized by the role of phospholipases (PLs). We have first discussed in detail the characteristics and dynamic roles of major types of PLs in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, and then we have summarized the latest advances in therapeutics involving nanotechnology that directly target these disorders, thus, encompassing targeted drug delivery, blood–brain barrier crossing drug loaded nanovehicles, stimuli-based drug release mechanisms, and the latest research in the development of immunosuppressant/immunomodulatory nanosystems. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to summarize recent studies on the dynamic role of three major types of PLs towards the development of various disorders. Furthermore, the importance of various nanotherapeutic approaches in the management of phospholipase-mediated neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases and some immune disorders for development of effective therapeutics is highlighted.