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Lipoic acid (LA) is a mitochondrial coenzyme that, depending on the concentration and exposure time, can behave as an antioxidant or pro-oxidant agent and has a proven ability to modulate metabolism by promoting lipid and glucose oxidation for energy production. To assess the effects of LA on energy metabolism and redox balance over time, Artemia sp. nauplii was used as an animal model. The administered concentrations of the antioxidant were 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 µM. Therefore, possible differences in protein, triglyceride, glucose, and lactate concentrations in the artemia samples and total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) in the culture water were evaluated. We also measured the effects of LA on in vivo activity of the electron transport system (ETS), antioxidant capacity, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h post-hatching. There was a decrease in glucose concentration in the LA-treated animals, and a decrease in ammonia production was observed in the 0.5 µM LA treatment. ETS activity was positively regulated by the addition of LA, with the most significant effects at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 µM at 12 and 24 h. For ETS activity, treatments with LA presented the highest values at 24 h, a period when ROS production decreased significantly, for the treatment with 10.0 µM. LA showed positive regulation of energy metabolism together with a decrease in ROS and TAN excretion.

Bioactive compounds derived from food or plants have become a natural source with the potential for producing functional, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical foods due to their biological functions and beneficial health effects. However, to perform such physiological processes, these compounds need to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Among the existing technologies, nanoencapsulation increases physical stability, protection, and the contact surface, facilitating the solubility and bioavailability of such compounds. In this type of encapsulation, lipid nanocarriers are promising carriers due to their lipid structure and containing hydrophilic surfactant, capable of facilitating the intestinal absorption of active compounds. However, in food or drugs, one of the significant challenges for applying bioactive compounds on a nanoscale is the lack of in vivo studies that establish safety limits for cytotoxicity. This review covered recent studies on the encapsulation of natural bioactive compounds in different types of lipid nanocarriers. In addition to methods for obtaining and characterizing nanocarriers, bioactivities with beneficial potential for human health, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective, are mentioned. The manuscript deals with the bioaccessibility of active compounds, new perspectives, and challenges for applying lipid nanocarriers.

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