Flavonoids-based nanomedicines for the treatment of liver fibrosis: A recent progress

Liver fibrosis remains a life-threatening pathological condition, which might lead to complications like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma when left untreated. The lack of definitive anti-fibrotic drugs and the possible complications of the clinically available drug compounds have paved the way for flavonoids-based liver fibrosis treatment. However, the limitations of flavonoids in biological systems, such as poor water solubility, low biocompatibility, rapid degradation, decreased half-life, and untargeted action, have been addressed previously by conjugating flavonoids with nanoparticles. This review summarizes the flavonoids-based nanomedicines tested against liver fibrosis, their characteristic significance, and the mechanism of action. Further, it provides insight into an effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Flavonoids-based nanomedicines such as silymarin-loaded gold nanoparticles, silymarin-chitosan nanoparticles, polyethylene Sebacate-silymarin nanomaterials, silymarin-Eudragit® RS100, silibinin-embedded polyethyleneimine-oleic acid, naringenin solid lipid nanomedicines, quercetin nanoliposomes and nanocapsules, galangin-Eudragit® RS100 nano formulation, and baicalin nanoliposomes synthesized at controlled size, charge, and shape with surface modifications have proven to be effective against liver fibrosis. These flavonoids-based nanomedicines overcome the limitations of conventionally administered flavonoids and facilitate their effective exertion of target-specific anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic activities. However, among the widely available flavonoids, only a very few have been studied as nanomedicines against liver fibrosis. Therefore, exploring different combinations of flavonoids with nanomaterials, addressing the limitations of flavonoids-based nanomedicines, and translating into clinical trials could shed a light on a promising anti-fibrotic treatment strategy.