Nanoparticulate Systems for Encapsulation of Polyphenols

Researchers are continuously searching for various sources that could provide new promising molecules for therapeutic purposes. Nature, is one source that abundantly provides a basis for the exploration of these beneficial molecules. A class of compounds that has attracted the attention of biomedical and pharmaceutical scientists are polyphenols. Polyphenols are specifically preferred for their unique medicinal and therapeutic properties. They are generally categorised as secondary metabolites,  and are predominantly employed for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and antibacterial properties. Various forms of polyphenolic compounds are present in nature, and based on chemical structure and origin; they are categorized into different classes and subclasses. Although polyphenols have abundant medicinal properties but their use is greatly limited mainly due to low aqueous solubility and they are prone to environmental degradation, upon exposure to heat, moisture, and atmospheric stress. Polymeric and lipid nanoparticles are increasingly used for the encapsulation of polyphenols as they prove to be an exceptional source for drug delivery, which not only enhances their aqueous solubility and bioavailability but also protects them from various types of environmental degradation. In this chapter, the classification of polyphenols is discussed briefly along with their encapsulation in different nanoparticulate systems.