World-first protable nasal spray protects brain cells during transit
發佈日期: 2026-05-05 19:34
TVB News
The University of Hong Kong's Medical school has developed the world's first "NanoPowder nasal spray" for early-stage stroke patients, aimed at improving their survival rates and neurological recovery.
Stroke has long been one of the main killers in Hong Kong, with an average of 3,000 deaths per year.
The most common type is ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage in the brain's blood vessels.
It can lead to rapid brain cell death.
The breakthrough came from a joint effort by a research team from the HKU Faculty of Medicine and the InnoHK Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation.
They encapsulated neuroprotective agents within nanoparticles and used particle engineering techniques to process them into an inhalable micron-sized powder.
Upon contact with nasal mucus, the powder rapidly de-agglomerate into nanoparticles, and travels directly to the brain.
Preclinical animal studies have demonstrated that administering the nasal spray within 30 minutes of stroke onset can reduce ischemic stroke by more than 80 percent.
Dr. SHAO ZITONG, Postdoctoral Fellow at InnoHK ABIC said, "Our neuroprotectant drug was based on a multi-target mechanism. In the paper research, some of the papers said that
they will have an anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and help to protect the bumping barrier and the brain."
This "NanoPowder nasal spray" is small, lightweight and portable -- designed to be carried around for instant use during the golden hours of ischemic stroke.
