Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals

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. Th...

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Main Authors: Marta Sharafan, Anna Dziki, Magdalena Anna Malinowska, Elżbieta Sikora, Agnieszka Szopa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7101
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author Marta Sharafan
Anna Dziki
Magdalena Anna Malinowska
Elżbieta Sikora
Agnieszka Szopa
author_facet Marta Sharafan
Anna Dziki
Magdalena Anna Malinowska
Elżbieta Sikora
Agnieszka Szopa
author_sort Marta Sharafan
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-537ef7277fca4cf6a98f356852a256632025-08-20T02:35:46ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011513710110.3390/app15137101Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic PhytochemicalsMarta Sharafan0Anna Dziki1Magdalena Anna Malinowska2Elżbieta Sikora3Agnieszka Szopa4Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, CUT Doctoral School, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska St., 31-155 Cracow, PolandDepartment of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, CUT Doctoral School, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska St., 31-155 Cracow, PolandDepartment of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska St., 31-155 Cracow, PolandDepartment of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska St., 31-155 Cracow, PolandDepartment of Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Cracow, PolandHydrophilic 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7101hydrophilic phytochemicalsdelivery systemsliposomesniosomesexosomespolymeric nanoparticles
spellingShingle Marta Sharafan
Anna Dziki
Magdalena Anna Malinowska
Elżbieta Sikora
Agnieszka Szopa
Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
Applied Sciences
hydrophilic phytochemicals
delivery systems
liposomes
niosomes
exosomes
polymeric nanoparticles
title Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
title_full Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
title_fullStr Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
title_full_unstemmed Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
title_short Targeted Delivery Strategies for Hydrophilic Phytochemicals
title_sort targeted delivery strategies for hydrophilic phytochemicals
topic hydrophilic phytochemicals
delivery systems
liposomes
niosomes
exosomes
polymeric nanoparticles
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7101
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AT magdalenaannamalinowska targeteddeliverystrategiesforhydrophilicphytochemicals
AT elzbietasikora targeteddeliverystrategiesforhydrophilicphytochemicals
AT agnieszkaszopa targeteddeliverystrategiesforhydrophilicphytochemicals