The invention provides pharmaceutical formulations of inhibitors for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme. The formulations can be used in the treatment and prevention of cancer as well as the treatment of neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases. The PARP inhibitor is delivered in the form of nanoparticles that provide efficient delivery of the inhibitor into cancer cells or other cells and release of the inhibitor within the cells. In treating cancer, the result is killing of tumor cells, whereas in treatment of neurotrauma and neurodegenerative disease, the result is preservation of cell function.
