Advances in anti-Alzheimer’s disease nano drug delivery system based on pathogenic mechanism of ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species, is a key pathological mechanism of neuronal death during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), contributing to the formation of “Ferroptosis Hypothesis” for AD pathogenesis. In recent years, there has been extensive research on therapeutic strategies for AD based on the pathogenic mechanism of ferroptosis, focusing primarily on the dysregulation of brain iron metabolism and redox regulation in microenvironment. However, presence of blood-brain barrier and intricate pathological environment within brain impose limitations on intracranial drug transportation, distribution and therapeutic efficacy, thereby necessitating advancements in drug delivery technology. Based on description of ferroptosis process and its regulatory mechanisms, this review explores the association between iron overload and redox imbalance with neuronal loss and AD development, and additionally, summarizes the advancements in nano drug delivery systems targeting iron overload and redox imbalance for potential anti-AD treatments, so as to offer some novel perspectives for AD treatment and drug development.