Nanoencapsulation: A Promising Strategy for Biomedical Applications of Ferulic Acid

Over the last decades, nutraceuticals and natural products have been the focus of intense research. Ferulic acid, an active phenolic constituent of many plant species with a wide-spectrum of pharmacological properties (e.g. effects against the oxidative stress, thrombosis, diabetes, aging, and neurotoxicity) has attracted a growing interest in the area of biomedical research and clinical practice. Ferulic acid is able to affect a variety of signaling pathways including those of the brain suggesting the influential role of this phytochemical on the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes as well as the neuronal survival and plasticity. However, poor solubility and physiochemical instability may negatively affect the efficiency of this ubiquitous nutraceutical. In recent years, tremendous research efforts in nanotechnology have provided highly advanced drug delivery systems for improved pharmacological profile of the therapeutic agents, targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and reduced side effects. The present review highlights the therapeutic significance of ferulic acid and the research progress regarding the development of ferulic acid-based nanoformulations. Biomed Rev 2017; 28: 22-30. Keywords: nanotechnology, nutraceuticals, phenolic compound, phytochemical, drug delivery