Abstract
Supramolecules have shown potential in the delivery of various therapeutic agents including hydrophobic drugs, phytoconstituents, and genetic materials. Various supramolecules have been explored such as cyclodextrins, cucurbit[n]urils, macrocyclic tetrapyrozolics), resorcinarenes, crown ethers, phthalocyanines, and calix[n]arenes. The cyclic structure of supramolecules is emphasized primarily for drug delivery applications, which helps to load a huge amount of drug and acts as a protective layer against drug degradation. Supramolecular systems can be administered through various routes, including oral, topical, and injectable routes. Phytochemicals, also known as phytonutrients, are naturally occurring compounds found in plants. Phytochemicals suffer from poor solubility, stability, low bioavailability, targeted and controlled release. The use of supramolecules-mediated delivery of phytochemicals has the potential to improve therapeutic properties by overcoming their limitation, such as low bioavailability, poor solubility, and lack target specificity. However, it is important to note that the field of supramolecular drug delivery is still evolving, and further research is required to optimize these systems for medical applications. This book chapter summarizes types, structures, and properties of supramolecules. Another section highlights the advantages and disadvantages of supramolecules. Finally, this chapter highlights the work reported on supramolecules-mediated delivery of phytochemicals for various applications.
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The authors would like to thank Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar for the support and encouragement. S.C. acknowledges the UGC, New Delhi for a Ph.D. fellowship.Â
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Chaurasiya, S., Kulhari, H. (2024). Supramolecule-Mediated Delivery of Phytochemicals. In: Pooja, D., Kulhari, H. (eds) Nanotechnology Based Delivery of Phytoconstituents and Cosmeceuticals. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5314-1_6
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