Background Resveratrol (3, 5, 4′‐trihydroxystilbene), a natural polyphenol and phytoalexin, has drawn considerable attention in the past decade due to its wide variety of therapeutic activities such as anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, its poor water solubility, low chemical stability, and short biological half‐life limit its clinical utility. Recent findings Nanoparticles overcome the limitations associated with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as limited availability of drugs to the tumor tissues, high systemic exposures, and consequent toxicity to healthy tissues. This review focuses on the physicochemical properties of resveratrol, the therapeutic potential of resveratrol nano‐formulations, and the anticancer activity of resveratrol encapsulated nanoparticles on various malignancies such as skin, breast, prostate, colon, liver, ovarian, and lung cancers (focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies). Conclusions Nanotechnology approaches have been extensively utilized to achieve higher solubility, improved oral bioavailability, enhanced stability, and controlled release of resveratrol. The resveratrol nanoparticles have markedly enhanced its anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo, thus considering it as a potential strategy to fight various cancers.

Purpose: This article describes the preparation and characterization of folate conjugated nanoparticles using poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate (PLGA-PEG-FOL) polymer for targeted delivery of anticancer agents.Methods: PLGA-PEG-FOL was synthesized by coupling di-block copolymer (PLGA-PEG-NH 2 ) with folic acid. PLGA-PEG-FOL polymer was characterized by 1 H NMR, GPC and FTIR. PLGA-PEG-FOL polymer was employed in the preparation of doxorubicin (DOX) loaded nanoparticles by double emulsion solvent evaporation (DESE), single emulsion solvent evaporation (SESE) and dialysis methods. Nanoparticles were characterized for size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release and folate content. The presence of folate on nanoparticle surface was also confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. Qualitative uptake and cell viability studies were carried out in FOL receptor-positive ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3).Results: DESE and SESE methods resulted in folate conjugated nanoparticles with an average size of 200 nm and entrapment efficiencies of 24.5 and 51.9% respectively. However, dialysis method resulted in microparticles with an average size of 2.5 µm. Folate conjugated nanoparticles exhibited higher uptake and cytotoxicity in SKOV3 cells in comparison with the pure DOX and unmodified nanoparticles.Conclusion: PLGA-PEG-FOL can be utilized in the preparation of surface modified nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anticancer agents to FOL-receptor-positive cancer cells.

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: Flavonoids are low molecular weight, polyphenolic phytochemicals, obtained from secondary metabolism of various plant compounds. They have a spectrum of pharmacological efficacies, including potential anticancer efficacy. Natural flavonoids are present in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. Flavonoids can attenuate or inhibit the initiation, promotion and progression of cancer by modulating various enzymes and receptors in diverse pathways that involve cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, in vitro, flavonoids have been shown to reverse multidrug resistance when used as chemo-adjuvants. Flavonoids (both natural and synthetic analogues) interact with several oncogenic targets through dependent and independent mechanisms to mediate their anticancer efficacy in different types of cancer cells.