Recent Progress in Autocatalytic Ceria Nanoparticles-Based Translational Research on Brain Diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a well-known and essential factor in disease pathogenesis. ROS cause lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to DNA and proteins. These harmful effects can lead to cell death, which is the starting point for the onset of several diseases. Because ceria nanoparticles (CeNPs) exhibit excellent ROS scavenging activity in biological environments, mimicking superoxide dismutase and catalase, many studies have been conducted to verify the therapeutic versatility of CeNPs in various disease models. CeNPs can mitigate the effects of diseases based on a variety of therapeutic effects, including anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, ranging from the modulation of small molecules, including ROS removal, to the inhibitory effects of large molecules, such as protein kinases. To apply the therapeutic properties of CeNPs in clinical medicine, it is important to understand the link between basic and advanced scientific aspects of CeNPs and the pathophysiology of target diseases. In terms of translational medicine, to fill the gap between basic biomaterial science and clinical medicine, this Review first outlines the pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of several diseases, and then highlights recent overall trends in the application of CeNPs in biomedical fields, especially for brain diseases, including ischemic stroke, intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, Parkinsonian syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease.