Antioxidant properties of nano-formulated carotenoids and natural phenolic compounds against oxidative stress-induced health diseases

Radical oxygen species formed in human tissue cells via many endogenous and exogenous pathways cause extensive oxidative damage which has been linked to various human diseases. This investigation focused on the antioxidant potential of nano-carriers loaded with dietary natural antioxidants as phytotherapeutic agents. Main aim of this scientific review is to update the most recent advances in the application of nanoencapsulation to natural antioxidants against aging-related oxidative stress and associated pathological conditions. It provides an overview of recent in vitro and vivo trials on the potential of several nanoencapsulated antioxidant compounds (such as carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonoids and phenolic acids) to retard oxidative changes linked to carcinogenesis, cardiovascular and other serious health damages. As elaborated in this analysis, nanoformulated antioxidants exert enhanced health protective properties as shown by animal clinical trials and in vitro studies on human cells. Although, various natural compounds exert different modes of action against harmful lipid peroxidation, the effect of nanoencapsulation becomes steadily stronger and more evident in enhancing their antioxidant potential as evidenced by the most recent literature evidence in this field.