Nanocarriers: more than tour de force for thymoquinone

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Thymoquinone (TQ) is the primary active compound in Nigella sativa (NS), demonstrating significant therapeutic potential in various studies.
• Despite its benefits, TQ's clinical application is limited by poor biopharmaceutical properties, such as low aqueous solubility and photo-instability.
• These limitations hinder the development of effective TQ formulations for therapeutic use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review various polymeric and lipidic nanocarriers (NCs) used for encapsulating Thymoquinone (TQ).
• To assess how TQ encapsulation in NCs improves oral bioavailability and in vitro/in vivo efficacy.
• To provide an overview of TQ encapsulation strategies that enhance its delivery and therapeutic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on Thymoquinone (TQ) encapsulation in nanocarriers (NCs).
• Compilation of data on polymeric and lipidic NCs for TQ delivery.
• Analysis of reported improvements in TQ's oral bioavailability and efficacy post-encapsulation.

Main Results:

• Various polymeric and lipidic nanocarriers (NCs) have been developed to encapsulate Thymoquinone (TQ).
• Encapsulation in NCs significantly enhances TQ's oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
• These nanocarrier systems address TQ's poor solubility and stability issues.

Conclusions:

• Nanocarrier (NC) encapsulation is a promising strategy to overcome Thymoquinone's (TQ) limitations.
• Improved TQ delivery via NCs can facilitate its translation to clinical applications.
• This approach benefits pharmaceutical and biological sciences, aiding translational research.