Nanocarriers for Resveratrol Delivery

Abstract

There is a current interest in phytoalexin resveratrol due to its vast therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-amyloid antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, cardio and neuroprotection. Resveratrol, of chemical name 3,5,4-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene, is a naturally occurring polyphenol, which is present in several dietary sources such as grapes, soybeans, berries, pomegranate and peanuts. However, resveratrol clinical efficacy is limited due to its poor systemic bioavailability, of less than 1%, which is due to its low aqueous solubility, extensive first pass metabolism and existence of enterohepatic recirculation. To overcome these limitations various nanocarriers including polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and conjugates have been developed. These nanocarriers enhance the bioavailability of resveratrol due to their ability to modulate the P-glycoprotein (P-gp), cytochrome P-450 enzymes, and bypassing the hepatic first-pass effect. This chapter presents recent advances in application of nanocarriers to deliver resveratrol for modulating its pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy.