Targeting Cancer Via Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoparticles Administration: Focusing on In Vivo Evidence

Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol endowed with potential therapeutic effects in chronic diseases, particularly in cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide in the twenty-first century. The advent of nanotechnology application in the field of drug delivery allows to overcome the constrains associated with the conventional anticancer treatments, in particular chemotherapy, reducing its adverse side effects, off target risks and surpassing cancer multidrug chemoresistance. Moreover, the use of nanotechnology-based carriers in the delivery of plant-derived anticancer agents, such as RSV, has already demonstrated to surpass the poor water solubility, instability and reduced bioavailability associated with phytochemicals, improving their therapeutic activity, thus prompting pharmaceutical developments. This review highlights the in vivo anticancer potential of RSV achieved by nanotherapeutic approaches. First, RSV physicochemical, stability and pharmacokinetic features are described. Thereupon, the chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive properties of RSV are underlined, emphasizing the RSV numerous cancer molecular targets. Lastly, a comprehensive analysis of the RSV-loaded nanoparticles (RSV-NPs) developed and administered in different in vivo cancer models to date is presented. Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown to improve RSV solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in cancer tissues, enhancing markedly its in vivo anticancer activity. RSV-NPs are, thus, considered a potential nanomedicine-based strategy to fight cancer; however, further studies are still necessary to allow RSV-NP clinical translation.