Lipid Nanostructures for Antioxidant Delivery

The recent scientific literature has demonstrated the attractive potential of lipid-based nanosystems, for many pharmaceutical applications. Indeed, lipid nanostructures can dissolve drugs with different physical and chemical properties, especially lipophilic active molecules, increasing their bioavailability and efficacy, as well as controlling delivery, while decreasing side effects [1]. The rationale behind using lipid nanosystems is also related to their biocompatibility and scarce toxicity, offering the chance to administer them by different routes. Many studies have demonstrated that the nanoencapsulation strategy enables the protection of active molecules from possible degradation, prolonging their chemical stability [2]. On this matter, the inclusion of antioxidants within lipid nanostructures offers a tremendous opportunity. Indeed, despite their pharmaceutical potential, spanning from free radical formation hindrance to the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and progression, antioxidant molecules are characterized by poor stability, and are degraded by many environmental factors, such as oxygen, light, high temperature, and humidity [3]. In this regard, lipid-based nanostructures, such as liposomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers, have been recently proposed as innovative delivery systems for antioxidant molecules. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that antioxidant encapsulation prolongs release kinetics, bioavailability, and antioxidant effects [4]. Accordingly, this special issue reports on four original research papers, supporting interesting results about different aspects.