Author(s)

Anna Rita Bilia, Benedetta Isacchi, Chiara Righeschi, Clizia Guccione, Maria Camilla Bergonzi

Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Flavonoids are among the biggest group of polyphenols, widely distributed in plant-based foods. A plethora of evidence supports the health benefits and value of flavonoids can play in the physiological function treatment and in the prevention of disease particularly in the prevention of degenerative conditions including cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, flavonoids represent the active constituents of many dietary supplements and herbal remedies, as well as there is an increasing interest in this class of polyphenols as functional ingredients of beverages, food grains and dairy products. Conversely, various studies have also shown that flavonoids have some drawbacks after oral administration such as stability, bioavailability and bioefficacy. This article reviews the current status of novel nanodelivery systems including nanospheres, nanocaspsules, micro- and nanoemulsions, micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid capsules, successfully developed for overcoming the delivery challenges of flavonoids.

Flavonoids, Nanodelivery Systems, Lipid-Based Nanocarriers, Polymer-Based Nanocarriers, Improved Stability, Bioavailability and Bioefficacy

Bilia, A. , Isacchi, B. , Righeschi, C. , Guccione, C. and Bergonzi, M. (2014) Flavonoids Loaded in Nanocarriers: An Opportunity to Increase Oral Bioavailability and Bioefficacy. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 5, 1212-1327. doi: 10.4236/fns.2014.513132.