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Applied Sciences
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Applications of Nanocarriers for Phytochemical Delivery
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Applications of Nanocarriers for Phytochemical Delivery

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 2922

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Van-An Duong

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Guest Editor
The Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Interests: drug delivery; lipid nanoparticles; bioavailability; DSC; FTIR; dissolution; solubility; HPLC; separation; pharmaceutical analysis; LC–MS; proteomics; proteome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, nanotechnology has profoundly impacted the field of pharmaceutical sciences, mainly through the development of nanomedicine. This field has witnessed significant advancements in developing diverse nanocarriers tailored for drug delivery. Nanocarriers, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, and inorganic nanoparticles, have garnered considerable attention due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and safety profile in the human body. These nanocarriers have demonstrated their efficacy in delivering a wide range of drugs, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, and genes, for various therapeutic applications. By enhancing solubility, stability, absorption, and bioavailability, nanocarriers offer a promising avenue for improving the overall therapeutic outcomes of drugs.

Phytochemicals have gained increasing attention for their potential health benefits. These bioactive substances possess various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immune-boosting activities. Various nanocarriers have been used to encapsulate these phytochemicals in an attempt to improve their solubility, stability, and bioavailability while minimizing adverse effects.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research and reviews on topics including, but not limited to, the development of nanocarriers to encapsulate phytochemicals; the evaluation of phytochemical-loaded nanocarriers regarding drug transport, distribution, and bioavailability; the applications of phytochemical-loaded nanocarriers to treat various diseases in animal models; and comprehensive reviews of phytochemical delivery using various types of nanocarriers.

Dr. Van-An Duong
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pharmaceutical
  • phytochemicals
  • drug delivery
  • nanocarriers
  • phytochemical delivery
  • bioavailability

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 1953 KiB  
Article
Microencapsulation of Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Extracts via Ionotropic Gelation: In Vitro Assessment of Bioavailability of Phenolic Compounds and Their Activity against Colon Cancer Cells
by Natalia Żurek, Michał Świeca, Agata Pawłowska and Ireneusz Tomasz Kapusta
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7842; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177842 - 4 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1495
Abstract
The aim of the study was to design microcapsules with a core of blueberry fruit extracts (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) using the ionotropic gelation method and then assess the effect of the type of extracts used and the combination of polymers on the [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to design microcapsules with a core of blueberry fruit extracts (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) using the ionotropic gelation method and then assess the effect of the type of extracts used and the combination of polymers on the profile of phenolic compounds, their in vitro bioavailability, stability during storage, as well as their antioxidant characteristics and cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells while assessing biocompatibility against normal colon epithelial cells. Encapsulation efficiency (EE), ranging from 8.79 to 74.55%, significantly depended on the extract used and the type of carrier. It was shown that the addition of pectin (Pect) and whey protein isolate (WPI) to alginate (Alg) improved the efficiency of the encapsulation process. For this version of microcapsules, the highest antioxidant activity, phenolic compound content and their stability during storage were also demonstrated. The estimated content of phenolic compounds ranged from 0.48 to 40.07 mg/g, and the dominant compound was cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. In turn, the highest bioavailability of these compounds and the highest cytotoxic activity against cancer cells were characterized by microcapsules with Alg and WPI. Nevertheless, good biocompatibility with normal colon epithelial cells was demonstrated for all versions of microcapsules. The obtained data indicate that the tested variants of microcapsules protect the bioactive compounds of blueberry fruit extracts, which translates into maintaining their health-promoting properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanocarriers for Phytochemical Delivery)
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Review

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31 pages, 1043 KiB  
Review
Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
by Marta Sharafan, Anna Dziki, Magdalena Anna Malinowska, Elżbieta Sikora and Agnieszka Szopa
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7101; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137101 - 24 Jun 2025
Viewed by 54
Abstract
Hydrophilic phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, possess important biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, their application is hindered by low membrane permeability, poor chemical stability, and limited skin penetration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of advanced delivery [...] Read more.
Hydrophilic phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, possess important biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, their application is hindered by low membrane permeability, poor chemical stability, and limited skin penetration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of advanced delivery strategies aimed at enhancing the solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of selected hydrophilic compounds. Specifically, it focuses on the encapsulation of flavonoids such as quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin, as well as phenolic acids including ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. The review discusses various nanocarrier systems: liposomes, niosomes, exosomes, and polymeric nanoparticles (e.g., nanocapsules, nanospheres) and compares their structural characteristics, preparation methods, and functional benefits. These delivery systems improve the physicochemical stability of active compounds, enable controlled and targeted release, and enhance skin and cellular absorption. Despite certain challenges related to large-scale production and regulatory constraints, such approaches offer promising solutions for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic application of hydrophilic plant-derived compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanocarriers for Phytochemical Delivery)
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26 pages, 2345 KiB  
Review
Nanoformulations Loaded with Phytochemicals for Combating Wound Infections and Promoting Wound Healing: Current Applications and Innovations
by Panoraia I. Siafaka, Androulla N. Miliotou, Mehmet Evren Okur, Gökçe Karaotmarlı Güven, Ioannis D. Karantas and Neslihan Üstündağ Okur
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5413; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105413 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 716
Abstract
Wounds are broadly classified into acute and chronic types, with chronic wounds being those that cannot heal within 4 to 12 weeks despite treatment. There is a growing interest in efficient and cost-effective wound healing though the drug delivery of active molecules. Natural [...] Read more.
Wounds are broadly classified into acute and chronic types, with chronic wounds being those that cannot heal within 4 to 12 weeks despite treatment. There is a growing interest in efficient and cost-effective wound healing though the drug delivery of active molecules. Natural compounds such as phytochemicals, as well as synthetic molecules with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory growth factors, can impact tissue regeneration and prevent wound infections. Nanotechnology-based systems, such as polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles and electrospun nanofibrous matrices loaded with phytochemicals, can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of active molecules through improved bioavailability and targeted delivery. This review summarizes the most current advanced applications combining phytochemicals and nanoformulations with promising wound healing potential. Various nanosystems loaded with phytochemicals have been identified, such as silver nanocarriers, zein-based nanoparticles, and various known polymers, which can be utilized to develop electrospun fibrous structures loaded with phytoremedies. Despite the incorporation of these remedies into traditional medicine for a long time, further clinical studies are essential to determine their pharmacological properties, safety concerns, and therapeutic efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanocarriers for Phytochemical Delivery)
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