A multidisciplinary group on the College of Miami Miller Faculty of Drugs has developed a breakthrough nanodrug platform which will show helpful for speedy, focused therapeutic hypothermia after traumatic mind harm (TBI).
Their work, printed in ACS Utilized Supplies & Interfaces, demonstrates that intranasal nanovanilloids can decrease mind temperature by 2.0° C to three.6° C for as much as three hours in pre-clinical fashions. The outcomes provide a promising new strategy for shielding the mind on the level of harm.

“This work exemplifies how nanotechnology and neuroscience ideas could be utilized collectively to create therapeutic options for crucial medical issues which have the potential of saving human lives,” stated Sylvia Daunert, Ph.D., Lucille P. Markey Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and director on the Dr. John T. Macdonald Basis Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute (BioNIUM), one of many research’s lead investigators.
Research Overview: From Chemistry to Medical Potential
Vanilloids are pure compounds that activate the TRPV1 receptor, which is concerned in ache, irritation and physique temperature regulation. The Miller Faculty researchers created nanovanilloids utilizing three cooling compounds: rinvanil, arvanil and olvanil. They used a particular course of that mixes the drug in alcohol with water whereas making use of sound waves, which helps the particles kind and keep evenly sized. Checks confirmed these particles are very small (all smaller than 200 nanometers), constant in measurement and may keep secure for a very long time at room temperature.
Importantly, these particles don’t want any additional carriers or coatings. The drug itself types the particle. This implies extra drugs could be delivered safely and simply via the nostril to succeed in the mind in a quicker and extra focused method.
The group checked if the nanovanilloids had been protected for cells and didn’t trigger stress or harm. They discovered that the particles didn’t hurt cell well being or enhance stress ranges. To verify the nanovanilloid medication labored as meant, they ran assessments displaying that the particles activated the goal receptor, TRPV1, which is required to set off cooling within the mind.
Why the intranasal route?
Delivering the medication via the nostril lets it attain the mind shortly and avoids being filtered out by the physique’s normal obstacles. This implies the therapy works quicker and wishes a smaller dose in comparison with giving it via an IV. The analysis group used a customized, 3D-printed spray nozzle to ensure the nanodrug was unfold evenly and gently contained in the nostril.
The researchers additionally identified that related nasal spray gadgets are already used for different mind medicines. These gadgets could be made safely and constantly by following commonplace manufacturing and qc.

Utilizing the machine, the group administered nanovanilloids and located:
• Nano-olvanil decreased head temperature by about 2 °C for greater than 100 minutes for pre-clinical fashions with no harm.
• Nano-rinvanil achieved a 3.6 °C drop in mind temperature in pre-clinical fashions with average TBI, with core physique temperature remaining secure. That indicated focused mind cooling, and researchers confirmed no liver or kidney toxicity.
Implications for Affected person Care
• Prehospital neuroprotection: Permits speedy mind cooling on the scene or throughout transport for TBI, spinal wire harm, stroke or heat-related sickness.
• Focused remedy: Localized cooling minimizes systemic unintended effects, a serious limitation of conventional hypothermia strategies.
• Scalable platform: The carrier-free nano-assembly strategy could be tailored for different hydrophobic medication, broadening its influence on acute neurological care.
“This strategy affords a brand new pathway to guard the mind throughout essentially the most crucial window, with the potential to enhance survival and restoration for sufferers,” stated lead investigator Helen Bramlett, Ph.D., professor of neurological surgical procedure on the Miller Faculty and The Miami Mission to Treatment Paralysis.
Subsequent Steps
The Miller Faculty researchers plan to advance this expertise towards medical translation, together with dose optimization, machine compatibility and human components testing. Their work units the stage for revolutionary, patient-first neuroprotection methods that could possibly be deployed exterior hospital settings.

“In my view, these outcomes mark one of the crucial essential technological developments in therapeutic hypothermia and focused temperature administration analysis over the previous 30 years,” stated W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., scientific director of The Miami Mission and professor of neurological surgical procedure and senior affiliate dean for group science on the Miller Faculty.
“It is very important spotlight that the developed expertise stems from a group science strategy, and that with out a multidisciplinary group of scientists, complicated issues like this can’t be solved,” Dr. Daunert stated.
The Miller Faculty Analysis Crew
The analysis group was led by Dr. Daunert, Dr. Dietrich, Dr. Bramlett and Sapna Deo, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology on the Miller Faculty.


Different key contributors included:
• Emre Dikici, Ph.D., senior scientist and director of the Bionanotechnology Laboratory
• Alexia Kafkoutsou, a Ph.D. candidate within the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Jorge David Tovar, a Ph.D. candidate within the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Juliana Sànchez, M.D., assistant scientist on the Miami Mission to Treatment Paralysis

