TITLE:
Flavonoids Loaded in Nanocarriers: An Opportunity to Increase Oral Bioavailability and Bioefficacy
AUTHORS:
Anna Rita Bilia, Benedetta Isacchi, Chiara Righeschi, Clizia Guccione, Maria Camilla Bergonzi
KEYWORDS:
Flavonoids, Nanodelivery Systems, Lipid-Based Nanocarriers, Polymer-Based Nanocarriers, Improved Stability, Bioavailability and Bioefficacy
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.5 No.13,
July
11,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Flavonoids are
among the biggest group of polyphenols, widely distributed in plant-based
foods. A plethora of evidence supports the health benefits and value of
flavonoids can play in the physiological function treatment and in the
prevention of disease particularly in the prevention of degenerative conditions
including cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence,
flavonoids represent the active constituents of many dietary supplements and
herbal remedies, as well as there is an increasing interest in this class of
polyphenols as functional ingredients of beverages, food grains and dairy
products. Conversely, various studies have also shown that flavonoids have some
drawbacks after oral administration such as stability, bioavailability and
bioefficacy. This article reviews the current status of novel nanodelivery
systems including nanospheres, nanocaspsules, micro- and nanoemulsions,
micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid capsules,
successfully developed for overcoming the delivery challenges of flavonoids.