Repurposing doxycycline for Alzheimer's treatment: Challenges from a nano-based drug delivery perspective

Abstract

Drug repurposing, also known as drug repositioning, involves identifying new applications for drugs whose effects in a disease are already established. Doxycycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline class, has demonstrated potential activity against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. However, despite its promise, the repurposed use of doxycycline encounters challenges in reaching the brain in adequate concentrations to exert its effects. To address this issue, nanostructured systems offer an innovative approach that can enhance brain targeting and the desired therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the advances in doxycycline repurposing for Alzheimer's disease, presenting physicochemical and biological aspects that permeate doxycycline's repositioning and its application in nano-based delivery systems.