Nose-to-brain Delivery of Traditional Chinese Medicine Essential Oils for Neurological Disorders： Applications and Molecular Mechanisms
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260203
- VernacularTitle:中药精油调控鼻脑通路防治神经系统疾病的应用及分子机制
- Author:
Shuangli ZHANG
1
;
Shihui GE
2
;
Yinan ZHAO
1
;
Zimeng GE
1
;
Yue WANG
1
;
Lianmin YUAN
2
;
Beibei ZHANG
1
;
Xinxuan LI
1
;
Jinxin MIAO
1
;
Mingsan MIAO
1
Author Information
1. Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
2. School of Pharmacy， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
essential oils;
nose-to-brain pathway;
drug delivery;
neurological disease;
signaling pathway
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(20):251-259
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The nose-to-brain pathway refers to a significant drug delivery route through which substances traverse the unique anatomical structures of the nasal cavity to directly access the central nervous system， bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Its core advantage lies in utilizing the olfactory and trigeminal nerves， enabling peripheral drug administration to rapidly and efficiently reach the brain， thereby avoiding the drug loss and bioavailability reduction associated with oral or intravenous routes due to the circulatory system and blood-brain barrier limitations. In recent years， with in-depth research into the neuroanatomy of the olfactory system， nasal mucosal barrier properties， and neural regulatory mechanisms， the potential application of the nose-to-brain pathway in neurological diseases has attracted increasing attention. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） essential oils， characterized by strong lipophilicity， small molecular weights， volatility， and diverse chemical components， are highly compatible with the physiological characteristics of the nose-to-brain pathway， thus serving as promising carriers for brain-targeted drug delivery， enhancing drug bioavailability， and exerting neuroprotective effects. On this basis， this review systematically summarizes the anatomical and physiological bases for the delivery of TCM essential oils via the nose-to-brain pathway， the patterns of drug transport and brain distribution， clinical and animal study examples in neurological diseases， the associated molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways， and the progress in the development of novel nasal essential oil formulations. Additionally， the review analyzes the current challenges in this field and proposes strategies for future research and application. By systematically discussing the nose-to-brain pathway and the delivery mechanisms of TCM essential oils， this study aims to provide theoretical support for drug development， mechanism exploration， and formulation innovation in the treatment of neurological diseases， while also offering scientific guidance for further research and clinical applications of the nose-to-brain delivery system.
