Nanoencapsulated flavonoids for enhanced modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative add-on therapy

IF 15.4 1区农林科学 Q1 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Trends in Food Science & Technology Pub Date : 2025-08-27 DOI:10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105264

Thiécla Katiane Osvaldt Rosales , Pedro Brivaldo Viana da Silva , Paulo Alexandre Oliveira , Marcus Vinicius Zanetti , Hélder A. Santos , João Paulo Fabi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases through the gut-brain axis. Flavonoids, a class of bioactive polyphenols, exhibit neuroprotective potential by modulating microbial composition and reducing neuroinflammation. However, their clinical application faces inherent challenges, including poor chemical stability, low bioavailability, and inefficient delivery to the distal colon.

Objective

This comprehensive review examines nano-encapsulated flavonoids as an advanced delivery strategy for optimizing gut microbiota modulation in preventive and adjunctive (add-on) therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.

Methods

A systematic bibliometric analysis (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) was performed to identify and evaluate studies focusing on three key areas: flavonoid-microbiota interactions, nanoencapsulation methodologies, and gut-brain axis mechanisms. Special emphasis was placed on polysaccharide-based nanoformulations due to their ability to target the colon.

Key findings

Gut microbiota dysbiosis significantly contributes to neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases through microbial metabolite-induced neuroinflammation. Flavonoids exhibit dual mechanisms of action by selectively promoting beneficial bacterial populations while simultaneously generating neuroactive metabolites through microbial biotransformation. Polysaccharide-based nanoencapsulation systems protect flavonoids from premature degradation, enabling controlled release in the colonic environment and significantly enhancing their biological efficacy.

Conclusions

Nanoencapsulation technology overcomes the significant biological limitations of flavonoid compounds, demonstrating a technological approach for microbiota-targeted neuroprotection. Developing colon-specific delivery systems maximizes therapeutic interactions with gut microbiota, creating new possibilities for preventive interventions and complementary treatment strategies in neurodegeneration. Future investigations need to include clinical studies, long-term safety assessments, and the development of personalized microbiota modulation protocols.

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纳米胶囊类黄酮增强微生物-肠-脑轴调节和神经退行性附加治疗

新出现的证据强调了肠道微生物群通过肠-脑轴在神经退行性疾病中的关键作用。黄酮类化合物是一类具有生物活性的多酚类物质，通过调节微生物组成和减少神经炎症而具有神经保护作用。然而，它们的临床应用面临着固有的挑战，包括化学稳定性差、生物利用度低、远端结肠递送效率低。目的研究纳米胶囊类黄酮作为一种先进的递送策略，在神经退行性疾病的预防和辅助治疗中优化肠道微生物群调节。方法采用系统文献计量学分析（PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science）对三个关键领域的研究进行鉴定和评价：类黄酮-微生物群相互作用、纳米胶囊化方法和肠-脑轴机制。特别强调的是基于多糖的纳米制剂，因为它们能够靶向结肠。肠道菌群失调通过微生物代谢物诱导的神经炎症，显著促进神经退行性病变，如阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病。黄酮类化合物表现出双重作用机制，选择性地促进有益细菌种群，同时通过微生物生物转化产生神经活性代谢物。基于多糖的纳米包封系统保护黄酮类化合物免于过早降解，使其在结肠环境中可控释放，显著提高其生物功效。结论纳米包封技术克服了黄酮类化合物的生物学局限性，为微生物靶向神经保护提供了一种技术途径。开发结肠特异性给药系统可以最大限度地提高与肠道微生物群的治疗相互作用，为神经退行性疾病的预防干预和补充治疗策略创造新的可能性。未来的研究需要包括临床研究、长期安全性评估和个性化微生物群调节方案的发展。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Trends in Food Science & Technology 工程技术-食品科技

CiteScore

32.50

自引率

2.60%

发文量

322

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： Trends in Food Science & Technology is a prestigious international journal that specializes in peer-reviewed articles covering the latest advancements in technology, food science, and human nutrition. It serves as a bridge between specialized primary journals and general trade magazines, providing readable and scientifically rigorous reviews and commentaries on current research developments and their potential applications in the food industry. Unlike traditional journals, Trends in Food Science & Technology does not publish original research papers. Instead, it focuses on critical and comprehensive reviews to offer valuable insights for professionals in the field. By bringing together cutting-edge research and industry applications, this journal plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge and facilitating advancements in the food science and technology sector.