On the use of nanotechnology-based strategies for association of complex matrices from plant extracts

Abstract

Depending on the method of extraction, plant extracts can contain an enormous variety of activemolecules, such as phenolic compounds, essential oils, alkaloids, among others. In many cases, froma pharmacological point of view, it is interesting to work with crude extract or fractions instead of asingle isolated compound. This could be due to multi-targeting effect of the extract, lack of knowledge ofthe active compounds, synergistic effect of the extract compounds, among others. In any case, in orderto achieve a final product some issues must be overcome, including poor stability, solvent toxicity, andlow solubility of the bioactive compound. Recently many nanotechnology-based strategies have beenproposed as an alternative to solve these problems, especially liposomes, nanoemulsions and nanopar-ticles. In this sense, the present work aims to review the main nanotechnological approaches used forassociation of different plant extracts and the main achievements from using these technologies.