Approaches for CNS delivery of drugs - nose to brain targeting of antiretroviral agents as a potential attempt for complete elimination of major reservoir site of HIV to aid AIDS treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) infection causing acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most life-threatening infections. The central nervous system (CNS) is reported to be the most important HIV reservoir site where the antiretroviral drugs are unable to reach. AREAS COVERED: This article includes the review about HIV infections, its pathogenesis, HIV infections in CNS, its consequences, current therapies, challenges associated with the existing therapies, approaches to overcome them, CNS delivery of drugs - barriers, transport routes, approaches for transporting drugs across the blood-brain barrier, nasal route of drug delivery, and nose to brain targeting of antiretroviral agents as a potential approach for complete cure of AIDS. EXPERT OPINION: Various approaches are exploited to enhance the drug delivery to the brain for various categories of drugs. However, very few have investigated on the delivery of antiretrovirals to the brain. Targeting antiretrovirals to CNS through oral/nasal routes along with oral/parenteral delivery of drug to the plasma can be a promising approach for an attempt to completely eradicate HIV reservoir and cure AIDS, after clinical trials. Further research is required to identify the exact location of the HIV reservoir in CNS and developing good animal models for evaluation of different newly developed formulations.