Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Anti-Inflammatory Phytocompounds

Abstract

Phytocompounds have been used in medicine for decades owing to their potential in anti-inflammatory applications. However, major difficulties in achieving sustained delivery of phyto-based drugs are related to their low solubility and cell penetration, and high instability. To overcome these disadvantages, nanosized delivery technologies are currently in use for sustained and enhanced delivery of phyto-derived bioactive compounds in the pharmaceutical sector. This review focuses on the recent advances in nanocarrier-mediated drug delivery of bioactive molecules of plant origin in the field of anti-inflammatory research. In particular, special attention is paid to the relationship between structure and properties of the nanocarrier and phytodrug release behavior.

Nanodelivery of Natural Antioxidants: An Anti-aging Perspective

“…The use of nanocarrier-based systems was shown to enhance the solubility and stability of delivered bioactive phytochemicals, increase their gastrointestinal absorption, and protection from premature enzymatic degradation (Conte et al, 2017;Martínez-Ballesta et al, 2018). Conclusive evidence suggests that bioavailability of nanoparticle-encapsulated phytochemicals can be 5-10 times higher than that of native formulations (Ganesan et al, 2018a,b).…”

“…The active delivery mode allows the controlled release of transported biomolecules at the targeted body sites. In this delivery mode, certain RNAs, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and small metabolite molecules are used as biomarkers to reach particular target sites (Conte et al, 2017). Selective targeting to specific tissues or body sites also becomes possible in this therapeutic modality by incorporating specific stimuliresponsive components which can be triggered by particular stimuli such as electric or magnetic field, light, pH, heating, ultrasound, and also by contact with concentrated ionic solutions or certain enzymes (Gu et al, 2018).…”

“…Moreover, there exists a possibility to modify the physical surface properties of metallic nanoparticles, such as silver, gold, and iron oxide nanoparticles, so that they act as drug carriers by the active delivery mode (Kong et al, 2017). The use of organic nanocarriers is, however, considered to be more preferred because of their physicochemical properties can be more finely tuned by modifying their chemical composition, shape, size, structural morphology, and characteristics of surface (Conte et al, 2017). The efficiency of nanodelivery of natural therapeutic agents is also dependent on their molecular weight.…”

Application of Nanotechnology in Phytochemical Research

“…Inorganic nanoparticles are of three main types: transition metal nanoparticles, ceramics nanoparticles and carbon nanoparticles. While there are numerous publications available to date on the use of nanoparticles for the delivery of various bioactive phytochemicals, Conte et al 5 have recently reviewed published literature on the application of nanotechnology in the delivery of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals including chemical classes like polyphenols (e.g., curcumin, ellagic acid, quercetin and resveratrol), terpenoids (e.g., lycopene and squalene), phytocannabinoids (e.g., -9-tetrahydrocannabinol), phytosterols (e.g., phytosterol), carbohydrates (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate) and essential oils (e.g., carvacrol, cymene, linalool and thymol). Nanotechnology has already changed, among many other fields, the field of drug delivery, influencing the enhanced and efficient delivery of various poorly bioavailable conventional drugs and bioactive phytochemicals.…”

Formulated hexane fraction of Costus afer leaves balm suppressed xylene induced topical inflammation in rat model

“…As more fluids continue to build up in the interstitial spaces, the damaged tissue site begins to swell [3]. This swelling mark is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation, and other signs include redness, joint pain, heat, and loss of tissue function [4].…”