Flavonoid-based polymeric nanoparticles: A promising approach for cancer and diabetes treatment

Flavonoids are a ubiquitous group of plant metabolites, which exhibit therapeutic potential like anticarcinogenic and antidiabetic activities through various cellular signaling pathways via their antioxidant properties. However, beneficial medicinal properties of the flavonoids are inhibited due to their rapid metabolism, poor absorption, and low water solubilities. Nanocarriers have a huge potentiality to improve bioavailability of dietary flavonoids. Here we have reviewed the studies on the antidiabetic and anticancer activities of the flavonoids namely, quercetin, naringenin and myricetin, using different nanoparticle-based delivery systems. Nanoparticles mainly include polymeric, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), micelles, liposomes, nanosuspensions and nanoemulsions. Wide range of studies including ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo systems suggest that flavonoid-nanoparticle formulations have better therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases like cancer and diabetes.