The Maillard process produces polysaccharide glycosylated proteins that limit protein precipitation induced by the high concentration or contact with polyphenols, which are polyphenol encapsulation materials
. The protein core of Maillard-synthesized gelatin–dextran conjugate nanoparticles included tea polyphenols. EGCG-loaded conjugate nanoparticles had an average diameter of 86 nm and limited distribution under optimum circumstances. EGCG has a 360 wt.% loading capacity and pH-independent encapsulation efficiency. Encapsulated EGCG had equivalent or higher cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells than free EGCG in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay
.
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) improve lipid-soluble polyphenol solubility and bioavailability. In a coculture system of absorptive Caco-2 and mucus-secreting HT29-MTX cells, SLN’s curcumin delivery was tested, and it was found that curcumin encapsulated in SLN delivered better than unencapsulated curcumin without affecting cellular junction integrity
[43]. Another study
[44] found that curcumin-loaded SLNs could prolong in vitro anticancer efficacy, cellular absorption, and in vivo bioavailability. Resveratrol was loaded and encapsulated in two forms of SLN
[45]. The nanoparticle crystal structure was changed by resveratrol, suggesting its entrapment. During incubation in digestive fluids, resveratrol mainly stayed with lipid nanoparticles
[45]. A study
[46] created glyceryl behenate-based solid SLNs to encapsulate and distribute resveratrol. Resveratrol-loaded SLNs were as effective as free resveratrol as an anticancer drug in a cytotoxicity experiment. In a Wistar rat bio-distribution investigation, SLNs increased brain resveratrol content by
p < 0.001
[46]. Resveratrol-loaded stearic-acid-based SLNs coated with poloxamer 188 were successfully synthesized utilizing solvent diffusion–solvent evaporation and showed extended drug release in vitro up to 120 h. Compared to the solution, the lipid formulation improved the oral bioavailability of resveratrol by eight-fold
[47]. After loading into SLNs, resveratrol solubility, stability, and intracellular delivery increased. With or without resveratrol, SLNs below 180 nm loading went quickly across the cell membrane, diffused throughout the cytoplasm, migrated sequentially among cellular levels, and localized in the perinuclear region without cytotoxicity. Resveratrol in solution was less cytostatic than SLN–resveratrol. Resveratrol’s cell-proliferation-reducing effects may be enhanced by SLN delivery
[48]. Therefore, it can be concluded that nanoformulations based on dietary lipids can be treated as a reliable vehicle delivery for polyphenols.
4.1. Cardioprotective Effects
Oxidative stress is thought to be a major factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Increased oxidative stress and a diminished antioxidant reserve are associated with both acute and chronic heart failure
[49]. Cardiovascular disease, especially ischemic heart disease, and stroke due to atherosclerosis are among the oxidative-related disorders that polyphenols can protect. Polyphenols have been shown to protect the heart against oxidative stress-related diseases in a number of studies
[50][51]. A bioactive polymer (PLGA layer) was deposited on top of a superparamagnetic SiN.SiN@QC-PLGA nano-bio-composite
[52] to modify the drug discharge profile and increase the functional resemblance to the local myocardial by facilitating the cell recruitment, expansion, attachment, and articulation of cardiac proteins. The effectiveness of recently produced nano-formulated natural therapies against hypertension, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction has been studied
[53].
4.2. Neuroprotective Effects
Researchers are studying cerium oxide nanoparticles because they show promising molecules as a treatment for several neurological illnesses [54]. The neuroprotective effects of CeO2@SiO2-PEG nanoparticles (CSP-NPs) for proanthocyanidin and curcumin delivery have been studied [55]. Hydrophilic curcumin (Cur) and hydrophobic proanthocyanidin (PAC) were, respectively, loaded onto CeO2@SiO2-PEG nanoparticles to produce Cur-NPs and PAC-NPs. Cur-NPs and PAC-NPs inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and protected neurons against A1-42-mediated toxicity in PC-12 cells. Several studies have reported different nanoparticle systems loaded with curcumin. These systems include poly (-caprolactone) (PCL), poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), and methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) poly (-caprolactone) (MPEG-PCL). Inhibiting enzymatic and pH degradation of curcumin and showcasing its neuroprotective capabilities [56] are both made possible through the incorporation of curcumin into nanoparticle systems. A safe and efficient therapeutic approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease may be the development of PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles loaded with two medicines (EGCG and acetyl acid). When mice were orally administered EGCG/ascorbic acid NPs, the compound accumulated throughout the brain and other important organs. This formulation has been shown to have the potential to increase the drug’s persistence in both the blood and the brain [57]. Research has found that 4-hydroxyisophthalic acid (4-HIA)-encapsulated PLGA-NPs significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of H2O2 in PC12 cells [58]. Thus, the neuroprotective effects are well established using nanoformulations and polyphenols.
4.3. Cancer Treatment
Cancer is defined as an uncontrolled growth of cells, which can lead to malignancies that are both potentially fatal and extremely costly for patients and the healthcare system. Many different diseases have traditionally been treated and prevented with natural polyphenols. Hence, due to their anticancer effects, these phytochemicals may be used as chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive drugs in a variety of malignancies
[59]. The cytotoxic effects of curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles coupled with anti-P-glycoprotein were studied in human cervical cancer KB-3-1 and KB-V1 cells, and the results showed increased curcumin solubility and cellular absorption, as well as decreased cell survival
[60]. To activate PTT-assisted ferrous therapy in the treatment of cancer, the authors of
[61] designed ferric-coordinated polyphenol nanoparticles. Ellagic acid loaded with schizophyllan and chitin nanoparticles exhibits anticancer effects
[62] in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Viability assays showed that MCF-7 cells were significantly inhibited in their ability to proliferate, with the impact being amplified at higher concentrations. The nanoencapsulation of quercetin and curcumin in a casein-based model was recently described
[63], and these compounds were evaluated against MCF-7 cell lines.
Several important concerns need to be addressed in the future to speed up the development and clinical translation of polyphenol-containing nanoformulations: (a) The manufacture of polyphenol-containing nanoformulations requires the development of simple and generic methodologies, as well as the actualization of rational design and on-demand synthesis. It is important to learn more about the use of the materials’ qualities and functionalities. In their current form, nanoformulations containing polyphenols have a number of drawbacks, including a lack of physiological stability/biodegradability, drug encapsulation/loading efficiency, stimulus responsiveness, traceability, and active targeting ability. Some fresh perspectives could emerge from combining chemical grafting with supramolecular self-assembly. (b) Cancer combination therapy has found an excellent new platform in polyphenol-containing nanoformulations. Better anticancer tactics may be attainable through the development of multifunctional polyphenol-based nanoplatforms that integrate various cancer therapeutic modalities (such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy). Nanoformulations containing polyphenols have many potential medical uses, but further research is needed. While most research so far has been on cancer treatment, polyphenols’ many health benefits also make them useful in preventing and managing bacterial infection, neurological diseases, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and others. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the polyphenol-containing nanoformulations will be able to include different enzymes for biocatalysis purposes. Imaging agents (fluorescent probes, MRI agents, radioactive agents) should be incorporated into various illness therapies with increased focus. (c) Systematic assessments of the biosafety and in vivo destiny of polyphenol-containing nanoformulations are also crucial. Research into polyphenol-containing nanoformulations should focus on their targeting abilities to tumor or inflamed tissues, long-term toxicity, in vivo biodegradability, renal clearance, and interaction processes with biological systems.
6. Conclusions
The phenolic compounds (EGCG, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin) found in plants in high concentrations perform a wide range of beneficial biological functions. Furthermore, poor stability, poor solubility, and limited bioavailability significantly limit the utilization of these compounds in food and medicine. Nanoparticle encapsulation not only allows for more precise targeting and controllable release but also allows for the circumvention of these limits. Nanotechnology provides an ideal carrier system for increasing the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of polyphenols. Nanoparticles are nearly ideal as carriers; however, their side effects and toxicity must be considered and mitigated before they may be used in a therapeutic setting. As polyphenols are natural compounds that must be taken for an extended period of time in the treatment and prevention of diseases, it is vital to understand the dangerous side effects linked to the buildup of nanoparticles in the physiological system. Specifically, if the nanoparticles have a poor encapsulation rate, this will be the case. Thus, standardized in vitro and in vivo models must be constructed, and in vivo safety testing procedures must be verified to support the development and implementation of innovative, effective nanoparticles beneficial to human health.