Polyphenol nanoformulations for cancer therapy: experimental evidence and clinical perspective

Resveratrol and its nanocrystals: A promising approach for cancer therapy?

There has been a significant research interest in nanocrystals as a promising technology for improving the therapeutic efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as resveratrol. Little is known about the interaction of nanocrystals with biological tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of resveratrol (RSV) and its nanocrystals (NANO-RSV) as antitumor agents in Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT)-bearing mice and the interaction of nanocrystals with biological tissue through biochemical and histological changes of kidney, liver and EAT cells. After intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 × 10⁶ cells into the abdominal cavity of mice, treatment of animals was started next day by injecting RSV or NANO-RSV at a dose of either 25 or 50 mg/kg every other day for 14 days. The results show that the administration of resveratrol and its nanocrystals lead to significant reductions in the proliferation of tumour cells in the abdominal cavity, and a reduction of the number of blood vessels in the peritoneum, with low systemic toxicity. In histopathological examinations, greater hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis, hepatic fibrosis around the central vein and degeneration with minor fatty change were observed with RSV than with NANO-RSV. Inflammation with proximal tubular necrosis and renal glomerulus swelling were also observed, together with slight elevation of several biochemical parameters in both the RSV and NANO-RSV groups. In order to increase the beneficial effects and reduce risks associated with resveratrol nanocrystals, additional factors such as dose, genetic factors, health status, and the nature of the target cells should also be considered.

An Up-to-Date Review of Natural Nanoparticles for Cancer Management

Cancer represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing an urgent need to develop more efficient treatment alternatives. In this respect, much attention has been drawn from conventional cancer treatments to more modern approaches, such as the use of nanotechnology. Extensive research has been done for designing innovative nanoparticles able to specifically target tumor cells and ensure the controlled release of anticancer agents. To avoid the potential toxicity of synthetic materials, natural nanoparticles started to attract increasing scientific interest. In this context, this paper aims to review the most important natural nanoparticles used as active ingredients (e.g., polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, and sterol-like compounds) or as carriers (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, viral nanoparticles, and exosomes) of various anticancer moieties, focusing on their recent applications in treating diverse malignancies.

Nanoformulations of α-Mangostin for Cancer Drug Delivery System

Natural compounds are emerging as effective agents for the treatment of malignant diseases. The active constituent of α-mangostin from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L. has earned significant interest as a plant base compound with anticancer properties. Despite α-mangostin's superior properties as an anticancer agent, its applications are limited due to its poor solubility and physicochemical stability, rapid systemic clearance, and low cellular uptake. Our review aimed to summarize and discuss the nanoparticle formulations of α-mangostin for cancer drug delivery systems from published papers recorded in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. We investigated various types of α-mangostin nanoformulations to improve its anticancer efficacy by improving bioavailability, cellular uptake, and localization to specific areas These nanoformulations include nanofibers, lipid carrier nanostructures, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanomicelles, liposomes, and gold nanoparticles. Notably, polymeric nanoparticles and nanomicelles can increase the accumulation of α-mangostin into tumors and inhibit tumor growth in vivo. In addition, polymeric nanoparticles with the addition of target ligands can increase the cellular uptake of α-mangostin. In conclusion, nanoformulations of α-mangostin are a promising tool to enhance the cellular uptake, accumulation in cancer cells, and the efficacy of α-mangostin as a candidate for anticancer drugs.

Promising Nutritional Fruits Against Cardiovascular Diseases: An Overview of Experimental Evidence and Understanding Their Mechanisms of Action

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries, affecting millions of individuals each year. Despite the fact that successful therapeutic drugs for the management and treatment of CVDs are available on the market, nutritional fruits appear to offer the greatest benefits to the heart and have been proved to alleviate CVDs. Experimental studies have also demonstrated that nutritional fruits have potential protective effects against CVDs. The aim of the review was to provide a comprehensive summary of scientific evidence on the effect of 10 of the most commonly available nutritional fruits reported against CVDs and describe the associated mechanisms of action. Relevant literatures were searched and collected from several scientific databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus. In the context of CVDs, 10 commonly consumed nutritious fruits including apple, avocado, grapes, mango, orange, kiwi, pomegranate, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon were analysed and addressed. The cardioprotective mechanisms of the 10 nutritional fruits were also compiled and highlighted. Overall, the present review found that the nutritious fruits and their constituents have significant benefits for the management and treatment of CVDs such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, dyslipidemias, ischemic stroke, aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, diabetic cardiovascular complications, drug-induced cardiotoxicity and cardiomyopathy. Among the 10 nutritional fruits, pomegranate and grapes have been well explored, and the mechanisms of action are well documented against CVDs. All of the nutritional fruits mentioned are edible and readily accessible on the market. Consuming these fruits, which may contain varying amounts of active constituents depending on the food source and season, the development of nutritious fruits-based health supplements would be more realistic for consistent CVD protection.

Omnifarious fruit polyphenols: an omnipotent strategy to prevent and intervene diabetes and related complication?

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome which cannot be cured. Recently, considerable interest has been focused on food ingredients to prevent and intervene in complications of diabetes. Polyphenolic compounds are one of the bioactive phytochemical constituents with various biological activities, which have drawn increasing interest in human health. Fruits are part of the polyphenol sources in daily food consumption. Fruit-derived polyphenols possess the anti-diabetic activity that has already been proved either from in vitro studies or in vivo studies. The mechanisms of fruit polyphenols in treating diabetes and related complications are under discussion. This is a comprehensive review on polyphenols from the edible parts of fruits, including those from citrus, berries, apples, cherries, mangoes, mangosteens, pomegranates, and other fruits regarding their potential benefits in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus. The signal pathways of characteristic polyphenols derived from fruits in reducing high blood glucose and intervening hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications were summarized.

Effect of silibinin on the expression of MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and TIMP2 in kidney and lung after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental rat model

PURPOSE

The protective effect of silibinin on kidney and lung parenchyma during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is explored.

METHODS

Sixty-three Wistar rats were separated into three groups: sham; control (45 min IRI); and silibinin (200 μL silibinin administration after 45 min of ischemia and before reperfusion). Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate the expression levels of MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, and TIMP2 on kidney and lung.

RESULTS

Comparing sham vs. control groups, confirmed that hepatic IRI increased both renal and lung MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and TIMP2 expressions starting at 180 min (p<0.001). Comparison of the control vs. silibinin groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the expression levels of MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 and increase of TIMP2 in kidney and lung parenchyma. The starting point of this decrease was at 120 min after reperfusion, both for kidney and lung parameters, and it was statistically significant at 240 min (p<0.001) for kidney, while silibinin showed a peak of lung protection at 180 min after hepatic reperfusion (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic IRI causes distant kidney and lung damage, while a statistically significant protective action, both on kidney and lung parenchyma, is conveyed by the intravenous administration of silibinin.

Cereal Processing By-Products as Rich Sources of Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Bioactivities

In today’s society, we can see a progressive paradigm shift that tends towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The proof is represented by the growing interest in food loss and waste of different sectors, from the political to the academic, or even to the private sector. In order to reduce food waste and to increase sustainability, the European Union (EU) has planned a circular bioeconomy. This action plan includes an approach based on reducing, reusing, recovering, and recycling materials and energy. Every year, there are high amounts of waste and by-products resulting from agricultural producing and agro-industrial processing, impacting the environment and the socio-economic sector. Cereal food products cover over 20% of daily diet, so it can be assumed that cereal production and processing are one of the most important sectors of agri-food industries. It is estimated that the waste generated from cereal processing and manufacturing is up to 13%, a percentage that can be decreased by converting the by-products in raw materials for biofuels, biodegradable plastics, alcohols, antioxidants, food additives, or pharmaceutic ingredients due to their content in macro- and micro-nutrients or bioactive compounds. Based on the fact that diet plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of our body, it is important to capitalize on any source of bioactive compounds to which we have access. This review aims to highlight the need to recirculate by-products for the purpose of extraction and use of their key compounds, polyphenols, which have not only antioxidant effects, but also preventive and therapeutic effects against cancer. For these, it is necessary to understand the biotechnologies needed for processing the most consumed cereals, the methods of extraction of phenolic compounds, and the main effects that these compounds have, summarizing the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies performed so far.

Delphinidin and Its Glycosides' War on Cancer: Preclinical Perspectives

Until now, several studies have looked at the issue of anthocyanin and cancer, namely the preventive and inhibitory effects of anthocyanins, as well as the underlying molecular processes. However, no targeted review is available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of delphinidin and its glycosides on various cancers and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Considerable evidence shows significant anticancer properties of delphinidin-rich preparations and delphinidin alone both in vitro and in vivo. This review covers the in vitro and preclinical implications of delphinidin-mediated cell protection and cancer prevention; thus, we strongly recommend that delphinidin-rich preparations be further investigated as potential functional food, dietary antioxidant supplements, and natural health products targeting specific chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition to in vitro investigations, future research should focus on more animal and human studies to determine the true potential of delphinidin.

Emerging Treatment Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Complications: An Update

The occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly at an accelerating rate worldwide. The status of diabetes has changed over the last three generations; whereas before it was deemed a minor disease of older people but currently it is now one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among middle-aged and young people. High blood glucose-mediated functional loss, insulin sensitivity, and insulin deficiency lead to chronic disorders such as Type 1 and Type 2 DM. Traditional treatments of DM, such as insulin sensitization and insulin secretion cause undesirable side effects, leading to patient incompliance and lack of treatment. Nanotechnology in diabetes studies has encouraged the development of new modalities for measuring glucose and supplying insulin that hold the potential to improve the quality of life of diabetics. Other therapies, such as β-cells regeneration and gene therapy, in addition to insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs, are currently used to control diabetes. The present review highlights the nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems and emerging treatment strategies of DM.

Nanoencapsulation of Polyphenols as Drugs and Supplements for Enhancing Therapeutic Profile - A Review

Polyphenolic phytoconstituents have been widely in use worldwide since ages and are categorised as secondary metabolites of plants. The application of polyphenols such as quercetin, resveratrol. curcumin as nutritional supplement has been researched widely. The use of polyphenols, and specifically quercetin for improving the memory and mental endurance have shown significant effects among rats. Even though similar results has not been resonated among human but encouraging preclinical results have encouraged researchers to explore other polyphenols to study the effects as supplements among athletes. The phytopharmacological research has elucidated the use of natural polyphenols to prevent and treat various physiological and metabolic disorders owing to its free radical scavenging properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects. In spite of the tremendous pharmacological profile, one of the most dominant problem regarding the use of polyphenolic compounds is their low bioavailability. Nanonization is considered as one of the most prominent approaches among many. This article aims to review and discuss the molecular mechanisms of recently developed nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems for polyphenols and its application as drugs and supplements. Nanoformulations of natural polyphenols are bioactive agents, such as quercetin, kaempferol, fisetin, rutin, hesperetin, and naringenin epigalloccatechin-3-gallate, genistein, ellagic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, curcuminoids and stilbenes is expected to have better efficacy. These delivery systems are expected to provide higher penetrability of polyphenols at cellular levels and exhibit a controlled release of the drugs. It is widely accepted that natural polyphenols do demonstrate significant therapeutic effect. However, the hindrances in their absorption, specificity and bioavailability can be overcome using nanotechnology.

A natural anthocyanin-based multifunctional theranostic agent for dual-modal imaging and photothermal anti-tumor therapy

Nowadays, cancer is one of the most serious diseases threatening the health of human beings, and imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) is rapidly emerging as a potent oncotherapy strategy due to its unique advantages of high efficiency, noninvasiveness, visualization, and accuracy. In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform based on gadolinium ion chelated natural anthocyanins (ACNs) is reported, which can be used not only as an excellent photoacoustic/magnetic resonance (PA/MR) dual-modal contrast agent but also for imaging-guided tumor PTT. The nanoparticles obtained have a suitable size, good dispersity, and physiological stability. The excellent biocompatibility and remarkable photothermal effect of the nanoparticles in vitro were demonstrated by CCK-8 assays and co-staining experiments. Moreover, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) results obtained in vivo showed that the nanoparticles were ideal dual-modal contrast agents whether given by intravenous or intratumoral injection. After intratumoral injection, the dual-modal PAI/MRI was used for determining the maximum diffusion time of the probe in the tumor site to guide laser treatment, achieving complete tumor elimination without normal tissue injury. Importantly, ACN is a natural compound extracted from black carrots, possessing native biocompatibility and biodegradability, which was further proved by the results of the detailed safety evaluation. Overall, the as-prepared nanoparticles displayed significant tumor diagnosis and treatment effects while mitigating biosafety concerns, and thus this was found to be a promising nanotherapeutic method for cancer treatment.

Resveratrol-Based Nanoformulations as an Emerging Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic stilbene derivative widely present in grapes and red wine. Broadly known for its antioxidant effects, numerous studies have also indicated that it exerts anti-inflammatory and antiaging abilities and a great potential in cancer therapy. Regrettably, the oral administration of resveratrol has pharmacokinetic and physicochemical limitations such as hampering its effects so that effective administration methods are demanding to ensure its efficiency. Thus, the present review explores the published data on the application of resveratrol nanoformulations in cancer therapy, with the use of different types of nanodelivery systems. Mechanisms of action with a potential use in cancer therapy, negative effects, and the influence of resveratrol nanoformulations in different types of cancer are also highlighted. Finally, the toxicological features of nanoresveratrol are also discussed.

Impacting the Remedial Potential of Nano Delivery-Based Flavonoids for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer persists as a diffuse source of cancer despite persistent detection and treatment. Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, appear to be a productive option in the treatment of breast cancer, because of their capacity to regulate the tumor related functions of class of compounds. Plant polyphenols are flavonoids that appear to exhibit properties which are beneficial for breast cancer therapy. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed on the dynamic effect of plant polyphenols in the prevention of breast cancer. There are also subclasses of flavonoids that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. These can regulate the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which help in cell cycle arrest and suppress the uncontrolled division of cancer cells. Numerous studies have also been performed at the population level, one of which reported a connection between cancer risk and intake of dietary flavonoids. Breast cancer appears to show intertumoral heterogeneity with estrogen receptor positive and negative cells. This review describes breast cancer, its various factors, and the function of flavonoids in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, namely, how flavonoids and their subtypes are used in treatment. This review proposes that cancer risk can be reduced, and that cancer can be even cured by improving dietary intake. A large number of studies also suggested that the intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with reduced breast cancer and paper also includes the role and the use of nanodelivery of flavonoids in the healing of breast cancer. In addition, the therapeutic potential of orally administered phyto-bioactive compounds (PBCs) is narrowed because of poor stability and oral bioavailability of compounds in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and solubility also affects bioavailability. In recent years, creative nanotechnology-based approaches have been advised to enhance the activity of PBCs. Nanotechnology also offers the potential to become aware of disease at earlier stages, such as the detection of hidden or unconcealed metastasis colonies in patients diagnosed with lung, colon, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer. However, nanoformulation-related effects and safety must not be overlooked. This review gives a brief discussion of nanoformulations and the effect of nanotechnology on herbal drugs.

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in the Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer

From all types of cancer, cervical cancer manages to be in top four most frequent types, with a 6.5% rate of occurrence. The infectious vector that induces the disease, the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted virus, is capable of transforming the host cell by modulating some of the principal signaling pathways responsible for cell cycle arrest, proliferation, and survival. Fortunately, like other cancer types, cervical cancer can be treated by chirurgical interventions or chemoradiotherapy, but these methods are not exactly the lucky clover of modern medicine because of the adverse effects they have. That is the reason why in the last years the emphasis has been on alternative medicine, more specifically on phytochemicals, as a substantial number of studies showed that diet contributes to cancer prevention and treatment. All these studies are trying to find new chemopreventive agents with less toxicity but high effectiveness both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this review is to evaluate the literature in order to underline the advantages and disadvantages of polyphenols, a class of dietary compounds, as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. This review also aims to present polyphenols from different perspectives, starting with mechanisms of action and ending with their toxicity. The bigger picture illustrates that polyphenols have great potential in cervical cancer prevention, with strong effects on gene modulation.

Anticancer Effect of Alginate-Chitosan Hydrogel Loaded with Curcumin and Chrysin on Lung and Breast Cancer Cell Lines

OBJECTIVE

We conducted the present study to investigate the anticancer effects of curcumin and chrysin loaded in the alginate-chitosan hydrogel on breast cancer (T47D) and lung cancer (A549).

BACKGROUND

Cancer, which is defined as abnormal cell growth, is one of the biggest public health problems in the world. Natural compounds, such as polyphenols, are used as chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic agents in different types of cancer owing to their antioxidant, antineoplastic, and cytotoxic properties. To improve their bioavailability and releasing behavior, hydrogel systems with high drug loading and stability and hydrophilic nature have been designed.

METHODS

The curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels were prepared through the ionic gelation mechanism utilizing CaCl2. The prepared hydrogels were studied by using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MTT and DAPI staining assays were employed for cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies of curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels. The effects of the curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels on the cell cycle of cell lines T47D and A549 were also evaluated using the propidium iodide staining.

RESULTS

The FTIR indicated specific bands at 1607 and 1422 cm-1 (the carbonyl of alginate) at 834 cm-1 (sodium alginate), 1447 cm-1, and 1026 cm-1 (COOH and C-O stretching bands alginate and chitosan). The curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels could significantly (p<0.05) reduce the viability and induce apoptosis, Morover, cause G2/M arrest of the cell cycle in both A549 and T47D cell lines.

CONCLUSION

The alginate-chitosan hydrogels could work best as an enhanced anticancer drug delivery system.

Advances in the application of nanotechnology in reducing cardiotoxicity induced by cancer chemotherapy

Advances in the development of anti-tumour drugs and related technologies have resulted in a significant increase in the number of cancer survivors. However, the incidence of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC) has been rising continuously, threatening their long-term survival. The integration of nanotechnology and biomedicine has brought about an unprecedented technological revolution and has promoted the progress of anti-tumour therapy. In this review, we summarised the possible mechanisms of CIC, evaluated the role of nanoparticles (including liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, and hydrogels) as drug carriers in preventing cardiotoxicity and proposed five advantages of nanotechnology in reducing cardiotoxicity: Liposomes cannot easily penetrate the heart's endothelial barrier; optimized delivery strategies reduce distribution in important organs, such as the heart; targeting the tumour microenvironment and niche; stimulus-responsive polymer nano-drug carriers rapidly iterate; better economic benefits were obtained. Nanoparticles can effectively deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to tumour tissues, while reducing the toxicity to heart tissues, and break through the dilemma of existing chemotherapy to a certain extent. It is important to explore the interactions between the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and optimize the highly specific tumour targeting strategy in the future.

Natural Product-Based Hybrids as Potential Candidates for the Treatment of Cancer: Focus on Curcumin and Resveratrol

One of the main current strategies for cancer treatment is represented by combination chemotherapy. More recently, this strategy shifted to the "hybrid strategy", namely the designing of a new molecular entity containing two or more biologically active molecules and having superior features compared with the individual components. Moreover, the term "hybrid" has further extended to innovative drug delivery systems based on biocompatible nanomaterials and able to deliver one or more drugs to specific tissues or cells. At the same time, there is an increased interest in plant-derived polyphenols used as antitumoral drugs. The present review reports the most recent and intriguing research advances in the development of hybrids based on the polyphenols curcumin and resveratrol, which are known to act as multifunctional agents. We focused on two issues that are particularly interesting for the innovative chemical strategy involved in their development. On one hand, the pharmacophoric groups of these compounds have been used for the synthesis of new hybrid molecules. On the other hand, these polyphenols have been introduced into hybrid nanomaterials based on gold nanoparticles, which have many potential applications for both drug delivery and theranostics in chemotherapy.

Biological evaluation of Safrole oil and Safrole oil Nanoemulgel as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer

Background

Safrole is a natural compound extracted from various plants, and has shown various biological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity of safrole oil and to study the influence of safrole nanoemulgel on these activities.

Methods

The antioxidant and antidiabetic in-vitro assays were conducted using standard biomedical methods. The safrole oil nanoemulgel was developed using a self-emulsifying technique. Then the antimicrobial activity of the safrole oil and safrole nanoemulgel were performed on different microbial species, and cytotoxicity was determined against Hep3B cancer cell lines using the MTS assay.

Results

Safrole oil showed moderate antioxidant activity compared with standard Trolox, with IC₅₀ value 50.28 ± 0.44 and 1.55 ± 0.32 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, it had potent α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 11.36 ± 0.67 μg/ml) compared with Acarbose (IC₅₀ value 5.88 ± 0.63). The safrole nanoemulgel had pseudo-plastic behaviour, droplet sizes below 200 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.3, and a zeta potential of less than − 30 mV. Safrole oil has potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities, and these activities were improved with safrole nanoemulgel.

Conclusion

The safrole oil may be applied for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress, diabetes, different microbial species and cancer, and these activities could be improved by nano-carriers.

Synthesis, Structural, Morphological and Thermal Characterization of Five Different Silica-Polyethylene Glycol-Chlorogenic Acid Hybrid Materials

The present study investigated the structure, morphology, thermal behavior, and bacterial growth analysis of novel three-component hybrid materials synthesized by the sol-gel method. The inorganic silica matrix was weakly bonded to the network of two organic components: a well-known polymer such as polyethylene glycol (PEG, average molar mass of about 4000 g/mol), and an antioxidant constituted by chlorogenic acid (CGA). In particular, a first series was made by a 50 wt% PEG-based (CGA-free) silica hybrid along with two 50 wt% PEG-based hybrids containing 10 and 20 wt% of CGA (denoted as SP50, SP50C10 and SP50C20, respectively). A second series contained a fixed amount of CGA (20 wt%) in silica-based hybrids: one was the PEG-free material (SC20) and the other two contained 12 and 50 wt% of PEG, respectively (SP12C20 and SP50C20, respectively), being the latter already included in the first series. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of freshly prepared materials confirmed that all the materials were amorphous and homogeneous regardless of the content of PEG or CGA. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed a higher water content was adsorbed into the two component hybrids (SP50 and SC20) because of the availability of a larger number of H-bonds to be formed with water with respect to those of silica/PEG/CGA (SPC), where silica matrix was involved in these bonds with both organic components. Conversely, the PEG-rich materials (SP50C10 and SP50C20, both with 50 wt% of the polymer) retained a lower content of water. Decomposition of PEG and CGA occurred in almost the same temperature interval regardless of the content of each organic component. The antibacterial properties of the SiO₂/PEG/CGA hybrid materials were studied in pellets using either Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. Excellent antibacterial activity was found against both bacteria regardless of the amount of polymer in the hybrids.

Nano-based drug delivery systems used as vehicles to enhance polyphenols therapeutic effect for diabetes mellitus treatment

Diabetes mellitus is one of the biggest health emergencies of the 21^st century worldwide, characterized by deficiency in insulin secretion and/or action, leading to hyperglycemia. Despite the currently available antidiabetic therapeutic options, 4.2 million people died in 2019 due to diabetes. Thus, new effective interventions are required. Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites and have been recognized for their vast number of biological activities, including potential antidiabetic effects. However, the poor bioavailability and high metabolization of polyphenols restrict their biological effects in vivo. Nanotechnology is a promising area of research to improve the therapeutic effect of several compounds. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the literature about the utility of nano-based drug delivery systems as vehicles of polyphenols in diabetes treatment. It was possible to conclude that, in general, nano-based drug delivery systems can potentiate the beneficial antidiabetic properties of polyphenols, when compared with the free compounds, opening a new field of research in diabetology.

Recent Advances in Improved Anticancer Efficacies of Camptothecin Nano-Formulations: A Systematic Review

Camptothecin (CPT), a natural plant alkaloid, has indicated potent antitumor activities via targeting intracellular topoisomerase I. The promise that CPT holds in therapies is restricted through factors that include lactone ring instability and water insolubility, which limits the drug oral solubility and bioavailability in blood plasma. Novel strategies involving CPT pharmacological and low doses combined with nanoparticles have indicated potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the anticancer ability of nano-CPT in various cancers as a novel and more efficient natural compound for drug development. Studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Eligibility checks were performed based on predefined selection criteria. Eighty-two papers were included in this systematic review. There was strong evidence for the association between antitumor activity and CPT treatment. Furthermore, studies indicated that CPT nano-formulations have higher antitumor activity in comparison to free CPT, which results in enhanced efficacy for cancer treatment. The results of our study indicate that CPT nano-formulations are a potent candidate for cancer treatment and may provide further support for the clinical application of natural antitumor agents with passive targeting of tumors in the future.

Secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures of Siberian medicinal plants: Content, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial characteristics

Introduction. Wild-crafting leads to the local extinction of many medicinal plants that are rich in phenolic substances. In vitro cultivation of cells and organs of higher plants can be the optimal solution to this problem. The research objective was to study the biosynthetic activity of in vitro extracts of wild Siberian plants. Study objects and methods. The study featured callus, cell suspension, and hairy root extracts of such Siberian medicinal plants as Eleutherococcus senticosus, Codonopsis pilosula, Platanthera bifolia, and Saposhnikovia divaricata. They were obtained by in vitro cultivation using modified nutrient media of Murashige and Skoog and Gamborg. The content of secondary metabolites was studied using the methods of thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography. A set of in vitro experiments tested the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts. Results and discussion. All the samples demonstrated a high content of secondary metabolites of phenolic nature. Flavonoglycosides, apigenin, and rutin were found to be the predominant biologically active substances in the callus extracts. Flavonoglycosides dominated in the suspension extracts. The root extracts contained more caffeic acid, rutin, ecdysteroids, quercetin, apigenin, cardiofolin, and coleofolide than the callus and suspension cultures. The list of prevailing secondary metabolites in the root extracts included rutin, apigenin, coleofolide, and quercetin. All the extracts showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Conclusion. All the extracts demonstrated good antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, they can be used for the production of pharmaceuticals and biologically active food supplements as they can be helpful against infectious diseases, as well as oncological, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases linked to oxidative stress.

Azoxymethane-Induced Colorectal Cancer Mice Treated with a Polyphenol-Rich Apple Extract Show Less Neoplastic Lesions and Signs of Cachexia

Obesity is considered a risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer. In rodents, high-fat (HF) diets are able to increase the formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced polyps. Polyphenol-rich apple extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and may induce an amelioration of the manifestations of colorectal cancer. Twenty-seven male Crl:CD-1 mice received AOM during four weeks and were subsequently divided into three groups fed a HF diet (n = 9 each group): a non-supplemented group, a second group supplemented with apple extract at 1%, and a third group supplemented with the same apple extract at 1.5%. Energy metabolism and the respiratory quotient were not affected by the supplementation with the apple extract. Although body weight was not affected by the treatment, the mice supplemented with the apple extract showed less signs of cachexia than the non-treated mice. In the intestine, the mice supplemented with the apple extract showed lower sucrase, dipeptidyl-peptidase IV, and aminopeptidase N activities, and less intestinal lesions (aberrant crypt foci and polyps). Administration of a polyphenol-rich apple extract reduces the number of neoplastic lesions in mice with AOM-induced colorectal cancer and contributes to preserve adipose tissue mass.

Emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying anticancer indications of chrysin

Chrysin has been shown to exert several beneficial pharmacological activities. Chrysin has anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective as well as gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, ocular, and skin protective effects through modulating signaling pathway involved in apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In the current review, we discussed the emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic indications of chrysin in various cancers. Online databases comprising Scopus, PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, Science Direct, Web of Science, and the search engine Google Scholar were searched for available and eligible research articles. The search was conducted by using MeSH terms and keywords in title, abstract, and keywords. In conclusion, experimental studies indicated that chrysin could ameliorate cancers of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver and hepatocytes, bladder, male and female reproductive systems, choroid, respiratory tract, thyroid, skin, eye, brain, blood cells, leukemia, osteoblast, and lymph. However, more studies are needed to enhance the bioavailability of chrysin and evaluate this agent in clinical trial studies.

The fate of flavonoids after oral administration: a comprehensive overview of its bioavailability

Despite advancements in synthetic chemistry, nature remains the primary source of drug discovery, and this never-ending task of finding novel and active drug molecules will continue. Flavonoids have been shown to possess highly significant therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective, etc., However, it has been found that orally administered flavonoids have a critical absorption disorder and, therefore, have low bioavailability and show fluctuating pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses. A detailed investigation is required to assess and analyze the variation in the bioavailability of flavonoids due to interactions with the intestinal barrier. This review will emphasize on the bioavailability and the pharmacological applications of flavonoids, key factors affecting their bioavailability, and strategies for enhancing bioavailability, which may lead to deeper understanding of the extent of flavonoids as a treatment and/or prevention for different diseases in clinics.

A Systematic Review of the Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Naringin Against Human Malignancies

Background: Natural product-based cancer preventive and therapeutic entities, such as flavonoids and their derivatives, are shown to have a noticeable capability to suppress tumor formation and cancer cell growth. Naringin, a natural flavanone glycoside present in various plant species, has been indicated to modulate different signaling pathways and interact with numerous cell signaling molecules, which allows for an extensive variety of pharmacological actions, such as amelioration of inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic syndromes, bone disorders, and cancer. The purpose of this systematic review is to present a critical and comprehensive assessment of the antitumor ability of naringin and associated molecular targets in various cancers. Methods: Studies were identified through systematic searches of Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus as well as eligibility checks according to predefined selection criteria. Results: Eighty-seven studies were included in this systematic review. There was strong evidence for the association between treatment with naringin alone, or combined with other drugs and antitumor activity. Additionally, studies showed that naringin-metal complexes have greater anticancer effects compared to free naringin. It has been demonstrated that naringin employs multitargeted mechanisms to hamper cancer initiation, promotion, and progression through modulation of several dysregulated signaling cascades implicated in cell proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion. Conclusion: The results of our work show that naringin is a promising candidate for cancer prevention and treatment, and might offer substantial support for the clinical application of this phytocompound in the future. Nevertheless, further preclinical and clinical studies as well as drug delivery approaches are needed for designing novel formulations of naringin to realize the full potential of this flavonoid in cancer prevention and intervention.

The Multifaced Actions of Curcumin in Pregnancy Outcome

Curcumin, also known as diferuloylmethane, is the main polyphenolic substance present in the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. This plant showed many beneficial effects and has been used since ancient times for both food and pharmaceutical purposes. Due to its pleiotropic functions, curcumin consumption in the human diet has become very common thanks also to the fact that this natural compound is considered quite safe as it does not have serious side effects. Its functions as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-toxicant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-diabetic compound are already known and widely demonstrated. There are numerous studies concerning its effects on various human pathologies including cancer, diabetes and arthritis while the studies on curcumin during pregnancy have been performed only in animal models. Data concerning the role of curcumin as anti-inflammatory compound suggest a possible use of curcumin in managing pregnancy complications such as Preeclampsia (PE), Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), PreTerm Birth (PTB), and exposure to toxic agents and pathogens. The aim of this review is to present data to support the possible use of curcumin in clinical trials on human gestation complications.

Anti-rheumatic effect of quercetin and recent developments in nano formulation

Quercetin is a potential anti-rheumatoid drug. Nano formulation strategies could improve its solubility and efficacy.

Oral Nano Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Available Administration Strategy for Antidiabetic Phytocompounds

In view of the worldwide serious health threat of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), natural sources of chemotherapies have been corroborated as the promising alternatives, with the excellent antidiabetic activities, bio-safety, and more cost-effective properties. However, their clinical application is somewhat limited, because of the poor solubility, instability in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), low bioavailability, and so on. Nowadays, to develop nanoscaled systems has become a prominent strategy to improve the drug delivery of phytochemicals. In this review, we primarily summarized the intervention mechanisms of phytocompounds against T2DM and presented the recent advances in various nanosystems of antidiabetic phytocompounds. Selected nanosystems were grouped depending on their classification and structures, including polymeric NPs, lipid-based nanosystems, vesicular systems, inorganic nanocarriers, and so on. Based on this review, the state-of-the-art nanosystems for phytocompounds in T2DM treatment have been presented, suggesting the preponderance and potential of nanotechnologies.

Plants as source of new therapies for endometriosis: a review of preclinical and clinical studies

BACKGROUND

Given the disadvantages and limitations of current endometriosis therapy, there is a progressive increase in studies focusing on plant-derived agents as a natural treatment option with the intention of achieving high efficiency, avoiding adverse effects and preserving the chance for successful pregnancy. The heterogeneity of these studies in terms of evaluated agents, applied approaches and outcomes illustrates the need for an up-to-date summary and critical view on this rapidly growing field in endometriosis research.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

This review provides a comprehensive overview of plant-derived agents and natural treatment strategies that are under preclinical or clinical investigation and critically evaluates their potential for future endometriosis therapy.

SEARCH METHODS

An English language PubMed literature search was performed using variations of the terms 'endometriosis', 'natural therapy', 'herb/herbal', 'plant', 'flavonoid', 'polyphenol', 'phytochemical', 'bioactive', 'Kampo' and 'Chinese medicine'. It included both animal and human studies. Moreover, the Clinicaltrials.gov database was searched with the term 'endometriosis' for clinical trials on plant-derived agents. No restriction was set for the publication date.

OUTCOMES

Natural therapies can be assigned to three categories: (i) herbal extracts, (ii) specific plant-derived bioactive compounds and (iii) Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). Agents of the first category have been shown to exert anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-oxidant effects on endometrial cells and endometriotic lesions. However, the existing evidence supporting their use in endometriosis therapy is quite limited. The most studied specific plant-derived bioactive compounds are resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumin, puerarin, ginsenosides, xanthohumol, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, quercetin, apigenin, carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, wogonin, baicalein, parthenolide, andrographolide and cannabinoids, with solid evidence about their inhibitory activity in experimental endometriosis models. Their mechanisms of action include pleiotropic effects on known signalling effectors: oestrogen receptor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1 and -6, tumour necrosis factor-α, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, matrix metalloproteinases as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis-related proteins. Numerous studies suggest that treatment with CHM is a good choice for endometriosis management. Even under clinical conditions, this approach has already been shown to decrease the size of endometriotic lesions, alleviate chronic pelvic pain and reduce postoperative recurrence rates.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

The necessity to manage endometriosis as a chronic disease highlights the importance of identifying novel and affordable long-term safety therapeutics. For this purpose, natural plant-derived agents represent promising candidates. Many of these agents exhibit a pleiotropic action profile, which simultaneously inhibits fundamental processes in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, such as proliferation, inflammation, ROS formation and angiogenesis. Hence, their inclusion into multimodal treatment concepts may essentially contribute to increase the therapeutic efficiency and reduce the side effects of future endometriosis therapy.

Polyphenol-Mediated Autophagy in Cancer: Evidence of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

One of the hallmarks of cellular transformation is the altered mechanism of cell death. There are three main types of cell death, characterized by different morphological and biochemical features, namely apoptosis (type I), autophagic cell death (type II) and necrosis (type III). Autophagy, or self-eating, is a tightly regulated process involved in stress responses, and it is a lysosomal degradation process. The role of autophagy in cancer is controversial and has been associated with both the induction and the inhibition of tumor growth. Autophagy can exert tumor suppression through the degradation of oncogenic proteins, suppression of inflammation, chronic tissue damage and ultimately by preventing mutations and genetic instability. On the other hand, tumor cells activate autophagy for survival in cellular stress conditions. Thus, autophagy modulation could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. Several studies have shown that polyphenols, natural compounds found in foods and beverages of plant origin, can efficiently modulate autophagy in several types of cancer. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the effects of polyphenols on autophagy, highlighting the conceptual benefits or drawbacks and subtle cell-specific effects of polyphenols for envisioning future therapies employing polyphenols as chemoadjuvants.

Targeting Multiple Signaling Pathways in Cancer: The Rutin Therapeutic Approach

Multiple dysregulated signaling pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. The conventional therapies used in cancer prevention/treatment suffer from low efficacy, considerable toxicity, and high cost. Hence, the discovery and development of novel multi-targeted agents to attenuate the dysregulated signaling in cancer is of great importance. In recent decades, phytochemicals from dietary and medicinal plants have been successfully introduced as alternative anticancer agents due to their ability to modulate numerous oncogenic and oncosuppressive signaling pathways. Rutin (also known as rutoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and sophorin) is an active plant-derived flavonoid that is widely distributed in various vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants, including asparagus, buckwheat, apricots, apples, cherries, grapes, grapefruit, plums, oranges, and tea. Rutin has been shown to target various inflammatory, apoptotic, autophagic, and angiogenic signaling mediators, including nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins, light chain 3/Beclin, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein, caspases, and vascular endothelial growth factor. A comprehensive and critical analysis of the anticancer potential of rutin and associated molecular targets amongst various cancer types has not been performed previously. Accordingly, the purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date and critical evaluation of multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms through which the anticancer effects of rutin are known to be exerted. The current challenges and limitations as well as future directions of research are also discussed.

A review on herbal drug loaded into pharmaceutical carrier techniques and its evaluation process

Background

The herbal drug is molded in nanocarriers to boost growing interest in a pharmaceutical era for various fields in sort to amplify therapeutic worth. Nowadays, a promising interest has been developed in nanotechnology using herbal medicines as core material to provoke its activity on the target site.

Main body

By administering herbal medicine in the nano-size form, there are chances for improving the bioavailability, binding receptor selectivity due to higher active surface energy thereby enhancing the effectiveness and safety of the active entity. In the last few decades, formulations with nano-sized herbal active ingredients have emerged as nano-phytomedicines owing to its wide range of interest and effectiveness because of its unique nature. Nanonized drug delivery structure of herbal drug has an approaching outlook for getting bigger the doings and overcome problems associated with plant medicine. The current review will focus on nanoparticles, herbal drug-loading techniques, herbal nanoformulations, and applications in various fields.

Conclusion

We conclude that by formulating herbal drug in nanocarriers would be a promising guide for the progress of core remedy and will act as a promising proposal for many pathological conditions.

Development of long-circulating lapachol nanoparticles: formation, characterization, pharmacokinetics, distribution and cytotoxicity

Lapachol is an active compound for the treatment of malignant brain glioma. However, its physicochemical properties limit its clinical application. The purpose of this study is to develop a nano-drug delivery system (LPC-LP) loaded with lapachol (LPC), which remarkably prolongs the half-life in the body, and increases the brain intake, therefore, achieving a better anticancer effect in the treatment of glioma. In order to optimize the formulation of liposomes, an orthogonal design was adopted with entrapment efficiency (EE) as the index. The characterization of the optimized formulation was evaluated in vitro. To assess the safety profile and effect of LPC-LP, a rapid and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for studying the pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of LPC-LP and LPC. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the two preparations on C6 cells was studied by the MTT assay. The results showed that the average particle size of LPC-LP was 85.92 ± 2.35 nm, the EE of liposomes was 92.52 ± 1.81%, and the charge potential was −40.70 ± 9.20 mV. An in vitro release study showed that the release of lapachol from LPC-LP was delayed compared to LPC, indicating that LPC-LP was a sustained and controlled release system. The UPLC-MS/MS method was fully validated in both plasma and brain tissue according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended guidelines, and successfully used for quantification of lapachol in vivo. After intravenous administration, LPC-LP prolonged circulation time of lapachol in the body and increased brain intake. Besides, the MTT results revealed that the IC₅₀ value of LPC-LP on C6 cells significantly decreased, compared with LPC, which further confirmed that LPC-LP enhanced the inhibition of C6 cells and improved the anti-glioma effect. In conclusion, LPC-LP could serve as a promising candidate for the clinical application of lapachol in the treatment of glioma.

LPC-LP is a promising and potential nanoparticle in the treatment of glioma.

Structure-Biological Activity Relationships of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds: Health Properties and Bioavailability

Extra-virgin olive oil is regarded as functional food since epidemiological studies and multidisciplinary research have reported convincing evidence that its intake affects beneficially one or more target functions in the body, improves health, and reduces the risk of disease. Its health properties have been related to the major and minor fractions of extra-virgin olive oil. Among olive oil chemical composition, the phenolic fraction has received considerable attention due to its bioactivity in different chronic diseases. The bioactivity of the phenolic compounds could be related to different properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, although the molecular mechanism of these compounds in relation to many diseases could have different cellular targets. The aim of this review is focused on the extra-virgin olive oil phenolic fraction with particular emphasis on (a) biosynthesis, chemical structure, and influence factors on the final extra-virgin olive oil phenolic composition; (b) structure-antioxidant activity relationships and other molecular mechanisms in relation to many diseases; (c) bioavailability and controlled delivery strategies; (d) alternative sources of olive biophenols. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive review was developed, with particular emphasis on in vitro and in vivo assays as well as clinical trials. This report provides an overview of extra-virgin olive oil phenolic compounds as a tool for functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.

Nanopolyphenols: a review of their encapsulation and anti-diabetic effects

Polyphenols are believed to possess numerous health benefits and can be grouped as phenolic acids, flavonoids or non-flavonoids. Research involving the synthesis of nanopolyphenols has attracted interest in the areas of functional food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development. This is in an effort to overcome current challenges which limit the application of polyphenols such as their rapid elimination, low water-solubility, instability at low pH, and their particle size. In the synthesis of nanopolyphenols, the type of nanocarrier used, the nanoencapsulation technique employed and the type of polymers that constitute the drug delivery system are crucial. For this review, all mentioned factors which can influence the therapeutic efficacy of nanopolyphenols were assessed. Their efficacy as anti-diabetic agents was also evaluated in 33 publications. Among these were phenolic acid (1), flavonoids (13), non-flavonoids (17) and polyphenol-rich extracts (2). The most researched polyphenols were quercetin and curcumin. Nanoparticles were the main nanocarrier and the size of the nanopolyphenols ranged from 15 to 333 nm with encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacities of 56–97.7% and 4.2–53.2%, respectively. The quantity of nanomaterial administered orally ranged from 1 to 300 mg/kg/day with study durations of 1–70 days. Most studies compared the effect of the nanopolyphenol to its free-form and, in all but three cases, significantly greater effects of the former were reported. Assessment of the polyphenol to understand its properties and the subsequent synthesis of its nanoencapsulated form using suitable nanocarriers, polymers and encapsulation techniques can result in effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of diabetes.

Nanocrystal technology for improving therapeutic efficacy of flavonoids

BACKGROUND

Bioflavonoids, secondary metabolites of plants, are beneficial in regulating human physiological mechanisms. Bioflavonoids majorly exist in the dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses, etc. In addition to their cardio-protective and neuroprotective activities, they also possess prominent pharmacological effects including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-thrombogenic actions. However, therapeutic efficacy of the bioflavonoids is hampered by their lipophilic nature, low solubility and variable bioavailability which catch the eyes of formulation scientists.

PURPOSE

Nanocrystal formulations were studied for many bioflavonoids, although enough attention has not been given to their commercial exploitation, unlike drug nanocrystals. Nanocrystals of bioflavonoid can be prepared by top-down technique, bottom-up technique or combination of both. This review primarily focuses on nanocrystal technology for bioflavonoids, methods of production, critical process parameters, in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to evaluate the efficiency.

METHOD

The detailed literature survey was systematically carried out using different electronic databases. It includes Scopus, Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Also up-to-date patent search was conducted to understand the prior art and available intellectual properties.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

It was observed that several formulation and process parameters have an impact on flavonoids nanocrystals and their therapeutic efficacy. Also, clinical studies of flavonoid nanocrystals are barely done so far and thus, substantial safety and efficacy data is necessary for its commercial applications. Nevertheless, nanocrystals can be explored as a promising technology platform for improving overall therapeutic performance of flavonoids in future.

Natural Product-Based Nanomedicine in Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

: Many synthetic drugs and monoclonal antibodies are currently in use to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, they all are implicated in causing severe side effects and long-term use results in many complications. Numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that phytochemicals and natural macromolecules from plants and animals reduce IBD-related complications with encouraging results. Additionally, many of them modify enzymatic activity, alleviate oxidative stress, and downregulate pro-inflammatory transcriptional factors and cytokine secretion. Translational significance of natural nanomedicine and strategies to investigate future natural product-based nanomedicine is discussed. Our focus in this review is to summarize the use of phytochemicals and macromolecules encapsulated in nanoparticles for the treatment of IBD and IBD-associated colorectal cancer.