Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds: nanodelivery through polysaccharide-based systems to improve the biological properties

Abstract

Plant-derived polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds widely distributed in plants. They have received greater attention in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their potential health benefits, reducing the risk of some chronic diseases due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and neuro-action properties. Polyphenolic compounds orally administered can be used as adjuvants in several treatments but with restricted uses due to chemical instability. The review discusses the different structural compositions of polyphenols and their influence on chemical stability. Despite the potential and wide applications, there is a need to improve the delivery of polyphenolics to target the human intestine without massive chemical modifications. Oral administration of polyphenols is unfeasible due to instability, low bioaccessibility, and limited bioavailability. Nano-delivery systems based on polysaccharides (starch, pectin, chitosan, and cellulose) have been identified as a viable option for oral ingestion, potentiate biological effects, and direct-controlled delivery in specific tissues. The time and dose can be individualized for specific diseases, such as intestinal cancer. This review will address the mechanisms by which polysaccharides-based nanostructured systems can protect against degradation and enhance intestinal permeation, oral bioavailability, and the potential application of polysaccharides as nanocarriers for the controlled and targeted delivery of polyphenolic compounds.

Keywords:

• Antioxidants
• bioavailability
• flavonoids
• nanoencapsulation
• polyphenolic compounds
• polysaccharides
• target delivery

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions

T.K.O.R.: Conceptualization, data curation, and writing (original draft and review and editing); F.F.A.S.: writing (review and editing); E.S.B: writing (review and editing); J.P.F.: conceptualization, supervision, and writing (review and editing). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for T.K.O.R. scholarship (#151150/2023-0) and J.P.F. productivity scholarship (#307842/2022-3). The authors acknowledge the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for T.K.O.R. scholarship (#2023/09620-3). The study was financially supported by grants #2013/07914-8, #2022/12834-2 and #2023/01396-7 from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).