Polyphenols against infectious diseases: Controlled release nano-formulations

Sustainable nanophytosome-based therapies against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in urinary tract infections: an in Vitro and in vivo study

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a prevalent bacterial infection impacting a significant number of individuals globally. The rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli strains as the predominant cause of UTIs presents a substantial public health concern and poses a challenge to existing antibiotic treatments. This study introduces an innovative and sustainable therapeutic approach utilizing rosemary oil nanophytosomes as a targeted drug delivery system to address biofilms in UTIs induced by MDR E. coli.

METHOD

Seventy clinically identified E. coli isolates from UTI patients were used for this study. Nanophytosomes were formulated with chitosan (CS) and nanostructured lipid carriers. CS-nanophytosomes were lyophilized to evaluate the storage stability. In vivo study included 40 female Wistar rats with daily treatment over seven days. For all the statistical tests, differences were considered significant at p < 0.01 and highly significant at p < 0.001.

RESULTS

CS-nanophytosomes demonstrated a particle size of 176.70 ± 12.30 nm with a substantial antibiofilm efficacy against MDR E. coli. High entrapment efficiency was ascertained with 93.12 ± 1.05%. The drug release study showed that the pure rosemary oil exhibited a notably lower release of 35.4 ± 2.36% over 48 h. In contrast, the CS-nanophytosomes and lyophilized CS-nanophytosomes displayed significantly higher release percentages of 58.6 ± 3.69% and 56.9 ± 5.01%, respectively, compared to the pure rosemary oil of 35.4 ± 2.36% over 48 h. The in vivo study indicated that nanophytosomes successfully reduced the bacterial load in the urine, bladder, and kidney tissues of mice infected with MDR E. coli, while also lowering the levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in serum and urine samples. Additionally, the nanophytosomes improved histopathological changes in bladder and kidney tissues caused by UTI without causing any toxicity or adverse effects on kidney function or hematological parameters.

CONCLUSION

Our research introduces a cost-effective and innovative approach to addressing UTIs caused by MDR E. coli by the use of rosemary oil, a natural antimicrobial agent encapsulated in nanophytosomes. This strategy not only demonstrates proven therapeutic efficacy in UTI animal models but also promotes the adoption of sustainable medical approaches. CS-nanophytosomes provides a sustainable alternative therapeutic option to combat MDR UTIs.

Biological Mechanisms of Polyphenols against Clostridium Difficile: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile is an opportunistic infection that can lead to antibiotic- associated diarrhea and toxic megacolon.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review study aimed to investigate polyphenols' antibacterial and antitoxin properties and their effects on reducing complications related to C. difficile Infections (CDI).

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guideline 2020. Multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Scopus, were searched thoroughly for existing literature. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review, 18 articles were included. Data were collected and registered into an Excel file for further investigations and conclusions.

RESULTS

Polyphenols by reducing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, increasing inflammatory factor Interleukin 10 (IL-10), reducing Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Tumour Necrosis Factor- α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor (G-CSF), and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) levels, and regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, make the growth and replication conditions of C. difficile more difficult and prevent it from producing toxins. Furthermore, polyphenols can exhibit prebiotic properties, promoting the growth of beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species and consequently regulating gut microbiota, exerting antimicrobial activities against C. difficile. They also induce their beneficial effects by inhibiting the production of C. difficile TcdA and TcdB.

CONCLUSION

Polyphenols have been reported to inhibit C. difficile growth and toxin production by several mechanisms in preclinical studies. However, more clinical studies are needed to investigate their safety in humans.

Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral Activity, and Mechanisms of Action of Plant Polyphenols

This review describes the enhanced classification of polyphenols into flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and tannins. Its focus is the natural sources of polyphenols and an in-depth discussion of their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. Besides a broad literature overview, this paper contains authors' experimental data according to some daily consumed vegetables such as tomatoes, different varieties of onion, garlic, parsley, and cayenne pepper and the probable relation of these activities to polyphenols. The isolation of polyphenols via conventional and ultrasonic, pressurized liquids and pulse-field extractions, as well as their methods for detection and determination, are interpreted as well. The main mechanisms by which polyphenols inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, such as protein synthesis, cell membrane destabilization, and ROS production induction, are in focus. Data on polyphenol concentrations and their respective MIC or the inhibition zone diameters of different bacterial and fungal species and suppressing viral replication are depicted. The toxicity of polyphenols in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo towards microorganisms and human/animal cells, and the safety of the polyphenols applied in clinical and industrial applications are expanded. This review also characterizes the antimicrobial effects of some chemically synthesized polyphenol derivatives. Biotechnological advances are also reported, especially the entrapment of polyphenols in biocompatible nanoparticles to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy. Polyphenols are promising for exploring molecules' novel antimicrobial substances and paving the path for effective novel antimicrobial agents' discovery, taking into consideration their positives and negatives.

Flavonoids as modulators of miRNA expression in pancreatic cancer: Pathways, Mechanisms, And Therapeutic Potential

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a complex malignancy, distinguished by its aggressive characteristics and unfavorable prognosis. Recent developments in understanding the molecular foundations of this disease have brought attention to the noteworthy involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in disease development, advancement, and treatment resistance. The anticancer capabilities of flavonoids, which are a wide range of phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables, have attracted considerable interest because of their ability to regulate miRNA expression. This review provides the effects of flavonoids on miRNA expression in PC, explains the underlying processes, and explores the possible therapeutic benefits of flavonoid-based therapies. Flavonoids inhibit PC cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and enhance chemosensitivity via the modulation of miRNAs involved in carcinogenesis. Additionally, this review emphasizes the significance of certain miRNAs as targets of flavonoid action. These miRNAs have a role in regulating important signaling pathways such as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B/Protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the interaction between flavonoids and miRNAs in PC, providing a comprehensive analysis of how flavonoid-mediated modulation of miRNA expression could influence cancer progression and therapy. It highlights the use of flavonoid nanoformulations to enhance stability, increase absorption, and maximize anti-PC activity, improving patient outcomes. The review calls for further research to optimize the use of flavonoid nanoformulations in clinical trials, leading to innovative treatment strategies and more effective approaches for PC.

Highly Specific Polyphenolic Colloids as Alternatives to Antimicrobials in Livestock Production

The dispersion of antibiotics in livestock farming represents a health concern worldwide, contributing to the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through animals, the environment, and humans. Phenolic compounds could be alternatives to antibiotics, once drawbacks such as their low water solubility, bioavailability, and reduced stability are overcome. Although nano- or micro-sized formulations could counter these shortcomings, they do not represent cost-effective options. In this study, three phenolic compounds, obtained from wood-processing manufacturers, were characterized, revealing suitable features such as their antioxidant activity, size, and chemical and colloidal stability for in-field applications. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these colloidal suspensions was measured against six bacterial strains isolated from livestock. These particles showed different inhibition behaviors: Colloidal chestnut was effective against one of the most threatening antibiotic-resistant pathogens, i.e., S. aureus, but ineffective toward E. coli. Instead, colloidal pine showed a weak effect on S. aureus but specificity toward E. coli. The present proof-of-concept points at colloidal polyphenols as valuable alternatives for antimicrobial substitutes in the livestock context.

Characterization and Hydrolysis Studies of a Prodrug Obtained as Ester Conjugate of Geraniol and Ferulic Acid by Enzymatic Way

Ferulic acid (Fer) and geraniol (Ger) are natural compounds whose antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity confer beneficial properties, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. However, the short half-lives of these compounds impair their therapeutic activities after conventional administration. We propose, therefore, a new prodrug (Fer-Ger) obtained by a bio-catalyzed ester conjugation of Fer and Ger to enhance the loading of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) designed as Fer-Ger delivery and targeting systems. SLMs were obtained by hot emulsion techniques without organic solvents. HPLC-UV analysis evidenced that Fer-Ger is hydrolyzed in human or rat whole blood and rat liver homogenates, with half-lives of 193.64 ± 20.93, 20.15 ± 0.75, and 3.94 ± 0.33 min, respectively, but not in rat brain homogenates. Studies on neuronal-differentiated mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells incubated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) inductor H2O2 evidenced the Fer-Ger ability to prevent oxidative injury, despite the fact that it appears ROS-promoting. The amounts of Fer-Ger encapsulated in tristearin SLMs, obtained in the absence or presence of glucose, were 1.5 ± 0.1%, allowing the control of the prodrug release (glucose absence) or to sensibly enhance its water dissolution rate (glucose presence). These new "green" carriers can potentially prolong the beneficial effects of Fer and Ger or induce neuroprotection as nasal formulations.

Central Countries' and Brazil's Contributions to Nanotechnology

Abstract:

Nanotechnology is a cornerstone of the scientific advances witnessed over the past few years. Nanotechnology applications are extensively broad, and an overview of the main trends worldwide can give an insight into the most researched areas and gaps to be covered. This document presents an overview of the trend topics of the three leading countries studying in this area, as well as Brazil for comparison. The data mining was made from the Scopus database and analyzed using the VOSviewer and Voyant Tools software. More than 44.000 indexed articles published from 2010 to 2020 revealed that the countries responsible for the highest number of published articles are The United States, China, and India, while Brazil is in the fifteenth position. Thematic global networks revealed that the standing-out research topics are health science, energy, wastewater treatment, and electronics. In a temporal observation, the primary topics of research are: India (2020), which was devoted to facing SARS-COV 2; Brazil (2019), which is developing promising strategies to combat cancer; China (2018), whit research on nanomedicine and triboelectric nanogenerators; the United States (2017) and the Global tendencies (2018) are also related to the development of triboelectric nanogenerators. The collected data are available on GitHub. This study demonstrates the innovative use of data-mining technologies to gain a comprehensive understanding of nanotechnology's contributions and trends and highlights the diverse priorities of nations in this cutting-edge field.

Antimicrobial Activities of Natural Bioactive Polyphenols

Secondary metabolites, polyphenols, are widespread in the entire kingdom of plants. They contain one or more hydroxyl groups that have a variety of biological functions in the natural environment. These uses include polyphenols in food, beauty products, dietary supplements, and medicinal products and have grown rapidly during the past 20 years. Antimicrobial polyphenols are described together with their sources, classes, and subclasses. Polyphenols are found in different sources, such as dark chocolate, olive oil, red wine, almonds, cashews, walnuts, berries, green tea, apples, artichokes, mushrooms, etc. Examples of benefits are antiallergic, antioxidant, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antimicrobe properties. From these sources, different classes of polyphenols are helpful for the growth of internal functional systems of the human body, providing healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, improving brain health, and rebooting our cellular microbiome health by mitochondrial uncoupling. Among the various health benefits of polyphenols (curcumin, naringenin, quercetin, catechin, etc.) primarily different antimicrobial activities are discussed along with possible future applications. For polyphenols and antimicrobial agents to be proven safe, adverse health impacts must be substantiated by reliable scientific research as well as in vitro and in vivo clinical data. Future research may be influenced by this evaluation.

Hesperidin nanoparticles for prostate cancer therapy: preparation, characterization and cytotoxic activity

Hesperidin, a phytochemical renowned for its therapeutic effects including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, encounters a significant limitation in its application due to its low bioavailability and restricted solubility in water. To surmount these challenges, we employed a spontaneous emulsification method to produce hesperidin nanoparticles. These nanoparticles, averaging 197.2 ± 2.8 nm, exhibited uniform dispersion (polydispersity index: 0.13), a zeta potential (ZP) of -28 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 84.04 ± 1.3%, and demonstrated stable and controlled release across various environments. Assessment of the nanoemulsions stability revealed remarkably high stability levels. Cytotoxicity evaluations (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, neutral red, trypan blue, and lactate dehydrogenase) indicated that cancer cell viability following treatment with hesperidin nanoemulsion was concentration and time-dependent, significantly lower compared to cells treated with free hesperidin. The colony formation assay and cell morphology evaluation further corroborated the heightened efficacy of hesperidin in its nano form compared to the free form. In summary, hesperidin nanoparticles not only exhibited more potent anticancer activity than free hesperidin but also demonstrated high biocompatibility with minimal cytotoxic effects on healthy cells. These findings underscore the potential for further exploration of hesperidin nanoparticles as an adjunctive therapy in prostate cancer therapy.

Secondary metabolites in topical infectious diseases and nanomedicine applications

Topical infection affects nearly one-third of the world's population; it may result from poor sanitation, hygienic conditions and crowded living and working conditions that accelerate the spread of topical infectious diseases. The problems associated with the anti-infective agents are drug resistance and long-term therapy. Secondary metabolites are obtained from plants, microorganisms and animals, but they are metabolized inside the human body. The integration of nanotechnology into secondary metabolites is gaining attention due to their interaction at the subatomic and skin-tissue levels. Hydrogel, liposomes, lipidic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles and metallic nanoparticles are the most suitable carriers for secondary metabolite delivery. Therefore, the present review article extensively discusses the topical applications of nanomedicines for the effective delivery of secondary metabolites.

Anti-Staphylococcal Biofilm Effects of a Liposome-Based Formulation Containing Citrus Polyphenols

Biofilms are surface-associated microbial communities embedded in a matrix that is almost impenetrable to antibiotics, thus constituting a critical health threat. Biofilm formation on the cornea or ocular devices can lead to serious and difficult-to-treat infections. Nowadays, natural molecules with antimicrobial activity and liposome-based delivery systems are proposed as anti-biofilm candidates. In this study, the anti-biofilm activity of a formulation containing citrus polyphenols encapsulated in liposomes was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, the most common agents in ocular infections. The formulation activity against planktonic staphylococci was tested by broth microdilution and sub-inhibitory concentrations were used to evaluate the effect on biofilm formation using the crystal violet (CV) assay. The eradicating effect of the preparation on mature biofilms was investigated by the CV assay, plate count, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The product was bactericidal against staphylococci at a dilution of 1:2 or 1:4 and able to reduce biofilm formation even if diluted at 1:64. The formulation also had the ability to reduce the biomass of mature biofilms without affecting the number of cells, suggesting activity on the extracellular matrix. Overall, our results support the application of the used liposome-encapsulated polyphenols as an anti-biofilm strategy to counter biofilm-associated ocular infections.

Natural compounds as lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors: potential therapeutics for lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors-related diseases

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a crucial enzyme involved in energy metabolism and present in various cells throughout the body. Its diverse physiological functions encompass glycolysis, and its abnormal activity is associated with numerous diseases. Targeting LDH has emerged as a vital approach in drug discovery, leading to the identification of LDH inhibitors among natural compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. These compounds demonstrate therapeutic potential against LDH-related diseases, including anti-cancer effects. However, challenges concerning limited bioavailability, poor solubility, and potential toxicity must be addressed. Combining natural compounds with LDH inhibitors has led to promising outcomes in preclinical studies. This review highlights the promise of natural compounds as LDH inhibitors for treating cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Emergence of Nano-Based Formulations for Effective Delivery of Flavonoids against Topical Infectious Disorders

Flavonoids are hydroxylated phenolic substances in vegetables, fruits, flowers, seeds, wine, tea, nuts, propolis, and honey. They belong to a versatile category of natural polyphenolic compounds. Their biological function depends on various factors such as their chemical structure, degree of hydroxylation, degree of polymerization conjugation, and substitutions. Flavonoids have gained considerable attention among researchers, as they show a wide range of pharmacological activities, including coronary heart disease prevention, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, free-radical scavenging, anticancer, and anti-atherosclerotic activities. Plants synthesize flavonoid compounds in response to pathogen attacks, and these compounds exhibit potent antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. However, certain antibacterial flavonoids have the ability to selectively target the cell wall of bacteria and inhibit virulence factors, including biofilm formation. Moreover, some flavonoids are known to reverse antibiotic resistance and enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotic drugs. However, due to their poor solubility in water, flavonoids have limited oral bioavailability. They are quickly metabolized in the gastrointestinal region, which limits their ability to prevent and treat various disorders. The integration of flavonoids into nanomedicine constitutes a viable strategy for achieving efficient cutaneous delivery owing to their favorable encapsulation capacity and diminished toxicity. The utilization of nanoparticles or nanoformulations facilitates drug delivery by targeting the drug to the specific site of action and exhibits excellent physicochemical stability.

Research progress of polyphenols in nanoformulations for antibacterial application

Infectious disease is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, especially in low-income countries. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to an increase in antibiotic resistance, which poses a critical threat to human health globally. Natural products such as polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives have been shown the positive therapeutic effects in antibacterial therapy. However, the inherent physicochemical properties of polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives limit their pharmaceutical effects, such as short half-lives, chemical instability, low bioavailability, and poor water solubility. Nanoformulations have shown promising advantages in improving antibacterial activity by controlling the release of drugs and enhancing the bioavailability of polyphenols. In this review, we listed the classification and antibacterial mechanisms of the polyphenolic compounds. More importantly, the nanoformulations for the delivery of polyphenols as the antibacterial agent were summarized, including different types of nanoparticles (NPs) such as polymer-based NPs, metal-based NPs, lipid-based NPs, and nanoscaffolds such as nanogels, nanofibers, and nanoemulsions. At the same time, we also presented the potential biological applications of the nano-system to enhance the antibacterial ability of polyphenols, aiming to provide a new therapeutic perspective for the antibiotic-free treatment of infectious diseases.

Starch, gallic acid, their inclusion complex and their effects in diabetes and other diseases-A review

Starch is the most important energy-providing component of food. It is useful for maintaining the structural and rheological consistency of food, ad thus, in turn, is responsible for maintaining the freshness of food. Polyphenols are present in plant products in huge amounts as secondary metabolites. Gallic acid, one of the potent plant polyphenols, has been reported to have excellent anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, microbicidal, and antidiabetic properties. Till date, very few articles on the starch-polyphenol inclusion complex are present. Quite a few hypotheses have been proposed as to how the formation of an inclusion complex of starch with polyphenol can slower the digestion or the hydrolysis of starch. The efficient qualities of starch-polyphenol systems, such as reduced starch digestion, lower blood glucose and preserving food freshness, have formed a necessity for investigation in this area. The focus of this review centers on the recent research on starch-polyphenol interactions and starch-gallic acid inclusion complexes in native and extruded food systems, as well as how the production of these complexes can aid in the treatment of diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus.

The Role of Cyclodextrins in COVID-19 Therapy-A Literature Review

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) emerged in December 2019 and quickly spread, giving rise to a pandemic crisis. Therefore, it triggered tireless efforts to identify the mechanisms of the disease, how to prevent and treat it, and to limit and hamper its global dissemination. Considering the above, the search for prophylactic approaches has led to a revolution in the reglementary pharmaceutical pipeline, with the approval of vaccines against COVID-19 in an unprecedented way. Moreover, a drug repurposing scheme using regulatory-approved antiretroviral agents is also being pursued. However, their physicochemical characteristics or reported adverse events have sometimes limited their use. Hence, nanotechnology has been employed to potentially overcome some of these challenges, particularly cyclodextrins. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides that present hydrophobic cavities suitable for complexing several drugs. This review, besides presenting studies on the inclusion of antiviral drugs in cyclodextrins, aims to summarize some currently available prophylactic and therapeutic schemes against COVID-19, highlighting those that already make use of cyclodextrins for their complexation. In addition, some new therapeutic approaches are underscored, and the potential application of cyclodextrins to increase their promising application against COVID-19 will be addressed. This review describes the instances in which the use of cyclodextrins promotes increased bioavailability, antiviral action, and the solubility of the drugs under analysis. The potential use of cyclodextrins as an active ingredient is also covered. Finally, toxicity and regulatory issues as well as future perspectives regarding the use of cyclodextrins in COVID-19 therapy will be provided.

Gut Microbiota-Assisted Synthesis, Cellular Interactions and Synergistic Perspectives of Equol as a Potent Anticancer Isoflavone

It is well known that, historically, plants have been an important resource of anticancer agents, providing several clinically approved drugs. Numerous preclinical studies have shown a strong anticancer potential of structurally different phytochemicals, including polyphenolic constituents of plants, flavonoids. In this review article, suppressing effects of equol in different carcinogenesis models are unraveled, highlighting the mechanisms involved in these anticancer activities. Among flavonoids, daidzein is a well-known isoflavone occurring in soybeans and soy products. In a certain part of population, this soy isoflavone is decomposed to equol under the action of gut microflora. Somewhat surprisingly, this degradation product has been shown to be more bioactive than its precursor daidzein, revealing a strong and multifaceted anticancer potential. In this way, it is important to bear in mind that the metabolic conversion of plant flavonoids might lead to products that are even more efficient than the parent compounds themselves, definitely deserving further studies.

Promising advances in nanobiotic-based formulations for drug specific targeting against multidrug-resistant microbes and biofilm-associated infections

Antimicrobial agents and alternative strategies to combat bacterial infections have become urgent due to the rapid development of multidrug-resistant bacteria caused by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, as well as the ineffectiveness of antibiotics against difficult-to-treat infectious diseases. Nanobiotics is one of the strategies being explored to counter the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Nanobiotics are antibiotic molecules encapsulated in nanoparticles or artificially engineered pure antibiotics that are ≤ 100 nm in size in at least one dimension. Formulation scientists recognize nanobiotic delivery systems as an effective strategy to overcome the limitations associated with conventional antibiotic therapy. This review highlights the general mechanisms by which nanobiotics can be used to target resistant microbes and biofilm-associated infections. We focus on the design elements, properties, characterization, and toxicity assessment of organic nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticle and molecularly imprinted polymer-based nano-formulations that can be designed to improve the efficacy of nanobiotic formulation.

Advances on nanoformulation approaches for delivering plant-derived antioxidants: A case of quercetin

Oxidative stress has been implicated in tumorigenic, cardiovascular, neuro-, and age-related degenerative changes. Antioxidants minimize the oxidative damage through neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other causative agents. Ever since the emergence of COVID-19, plant-derived antioxidants have received enormous attention, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Quercetin (QCT), a bio-flavonoid, exists in the glycosylated form in fruits, berries and vegetables. The antioxidant potential of QCT analogs relates to the number of free hydroxyl groups in their structure. Despite presence of these groups, QCT exhibits substantial hydrophobicity. Formulation scientists have tested nanotechnology-based approaches for its improved solubilization and delivery to the intended site of action. By the virtue of its hydrophobicity, QCT gets encapsulated in nanocarriers carrying hydrophobic domains. Apart from passive accumulation, active uptake of such formulations into the target cells can be facilitated through well-studied functionalization strategies. In this review, we have discussed the approaches of improving solubilization and bioavailability of QCT with the use of nanoformulations.

Preclinical studies of the antitumor effect of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Curcumin, a plant-derived compound, has various well-known biological effects (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, among others) as well as some important limitations for formulators, such as poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. Its nanoencapsulation is reported to overcome these drawbacks and to improve its in vivo efficacy. Here, data from preclinical in vivo studies evaluating the antitumor efficacy of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules are collected, analyzed, and discussed as a systematic review. Meta-analyses are performed to assess the contribution of this nanoencapsulation compared with nonencapsulated curcumin. Eighteen studies (116 animals) meet the inclusion criteria. The evidence that curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules inhibits tumor growth (SMD: -3.03; 95% CI: -3.84, -2.21; p < 0.00001) and decreases tumor weight (SMD: -3.96; 95% CI: -6.22, -1.70; p = 0.0006) in rodents is established, regardless of the solid tumor model. To assess the quality of the studies included in the review a bias risk analysis was performed using the SYRCLE's RoB tool. Therefore, encapsulation in polymeric nanocapsules represents an important tool to improve the antitumor effects of curcumin, and this systematic review paves the way for future clinical studies and the translation of curcumin formulations into novel nanomedicines for human cancer treatment.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Transdermal Delivery of Polyphenols

Polyphenols comprises of a large group of naturally occurring plant secondary metabolites having various nutritional and health benefits. They are safe and are found abundantly in the diet. Current research on polyphenols focuses on their mechanism and their benefits on the human health. However, due to their low solubility and bioavailability, delivery from conventional route has been a challenge and their translation into clinical applications has been limited. Topical and transdermal delivery of polymeric nanoparticles will act as a novel therapeutic approach for promising delivery of polyphenols. In this review, we have evaluated the existing scientific literature and summarized the potential use of polymeric nanoparticles as a carrier for polyphenolic compounds for delivery via topical and transdermal routes for the treatment of skin cancers such as melanoma.