The science of resveratrol, formulation, pharmacokinetic barriers and its chemotherapeutic potential

Abstract

Chemopreventive properties of resveratrol has been studied for decades. Despite its potential for chemotherapeutic advancement, the compound has pharmaceutical limitations, such as, the drug has a poor pharmacokinetic profile and low bioavailability. Studies have comforting results that that the nano-formulations may aid the future resveratrol drug development. Resveratrol can also be encapsulated as co-drug with an anticipation of gaining improved targeting and pharmacokinetic parameters, as well as achieving desired therapeutic plasma levels. It has been envisaged that the nanoformulations can also address the issue of drug accumulation, which may lead to hepatotoxicity. Nanoformulations can bring a major improvement in the bioavailability of resveratrol but still the formulation still suffers with pharmacokinetics issues clinically. This review encompasses the pharmacokinetics barriers associated with resveratrol and a possible suggestion to overcome those barriers for improving absorbance, reducing toxicity and improving the drug release and encapsulation efficiency. The article also suggest that co-administration of resveratrol with chemotherapeutic drugs must be tested in vivo on a wide range of cancers to avoid accidental proliferation exacerbation. The review's focusses on the resveratrol formulation and make suggestions for improvements in order to overcome the pharmacokinetic and toxicity issues.