Nutraceutical Concepts and Dextrin-Based Delivery Systems

Abstract

Nutraceuticals are bioactive or chemical compounds acclaimed for their valuable biological activities and health-promoting effects. The global community is faced with many health concerns such as cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc. The effect of nutraceuticals is similar to pharmaceuticals, even though the term nutraceutical has no regulatory definition. The usage of nutraceuticals, to prevent and treat the aforementioned diseases, is limited by several features such as poor water solubility, low bioavailability, low stability, low permeability, low efficacy, etc. These downsides can be overcome by the application of the field of nanotechnology manipulating the properties and structures of materials at the nanometer scale. In this review, the linear and cyclic dextrin, formed during the enzymatic degradation of starch, are highlighted as highly promising nanomaterials- based drug delivery systems. The modified cyclic dextrin, cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanosponges (NSs), are well-known delivery systems of several nutraceuticals such as quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, thyme essential oil, melatonin, and appear as a more advanced drug delivery system than modified linear dextrin. CD-based NSs prolong and control the nutraceuticals release, and display higher biocompatibility, stability, and solubility of poorly water-soluble nutraceuticals than the CD-inclusion complexes, or uncomplexed nutraceuticals. In addition, the well-explored CD-based NSs pathways, as drug delivery systems, are described. Although important progress is made in drug delivery, all the findings will serve as a source for the use of CD-based nanosystems for nutraceutical delivery. To sum up, our review introduces the extensive literature about the nutraceutical concepts, synthesis, characterization, and applications of the CD-based nano delivery systems that will further contribute to the nutraceutical delivery with more potent nanosystems based on linear dextrins.

Nutraceuticals as Potential Therapeutic Modulators in Immunometabolism

“…One of the strategies in biomedicine to overcome these disadvantages is the use of nanostructures, such as nanocarriers. Thus, Hoti et al summarized nanotechnology-based delivery systems used for nutraceutical transportation [ 171 ]. Moreover, this group contextualized modified cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanosponges (NSs; CD-NSs) as efficient encapsulating agents for delivering nutraceuticals with controlled kinetics through the topical, oral, and parenteral routes.…”

“…CD-NSs are the most preferred, advanced, biocompatible, and natural systems to deliver nutraceuticals. These nanocarriers are used as delivery systems of several nutraceuticals, such as quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol [ 171 ]. Soni et al demonstrated that SFN-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) improve oral efficacy against cancer.…”

Nutraceuticals: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Cancer, Antioxidant Properties in Gastrointestinal Tract

“…To date, the demand for health care has intensively increased, and the attention of people has focused on the requirement for foods enriched with nutraceuticals to obtain adequate nutrients that allow both to maintain the normal functioning of the body and to prevent disease. Based on experimental studies, the therapeutic purpose of nutraceuticals depends on their bioavailability, solubility, toxicity, and delivery system [ 117 ].…”

“…Recent studies have demonstrated that dextrins can be used in the nutraceuticals delivery industry because of their non-toxic, biodegradable, and water solubility characteristics [ 117 , 118 ]. Dextrins—derived from starch—are considered an effective drug delivery tool with proven clinical tolerability [ 119 ], and the dextrin polymer-based nanocarriers are designed to be the preferred and natural system for providing nutraceuticals.…”

Microbial Polysaccharide-Based Nanoformulations for Nutraceutical Delivery

“…Nutraceuticals are “unstoppable” in the global market despite the brevity of experts’ definitions of what they are (Figure ). The global nutraceutical market evokes continuous controversy, so it is essential to evaluate it. The nutraceuticals industry is divided into functional foods, natural or herbal products, and dietary supplements .…”