The Controlled Release of Polyphenols from Nanoformulations for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The incidence of infectious diseases has significantly increased, notably in the twenty-first century. Recent pandemics and outbreaks such as Covid-19, swine flu, MERS, Ebola, and Zika, have had far-reaching consequences on the social, psychological, and economic well being of individuals and communities globally. Although vaccine production and medical science have seen significant advancements over the years that have drastically decreased mortality and morbidity due to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox, diphtheria, and polio, the development of multiple drug resistance continues to be a global concern. Recent advances in formulation and drug delivery technologies have opened up research opportunities to improve the efficacy of existing pharmacological substances by targeting some in vivo locations with higher precision. Nanotechnology is beneficial for drug delivery systems because it improves stability, solubility, and bioavailability, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, this allows for the design of tailor-made controlled- and sustained-release profile dosage forms. Much attention has also been focused on polyphenols, which are known to possess powerful antioxidant properties. They play the role of very useful natural molecules in defense against external stimuli and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause many disorders. In this chapter, we present the potential of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for the delivery of polyphenolic compounds for the management of infectious disorders.