Targeting infections and inflammation through micro and nano-nutraceuticals

Nowadays, the pharma and food industries have been gearing up to meet the urgent need for anti-infective and anti-inflammatory nutritional formulations. In this way, several nutraceutical compounds are being re–evaluated due to their established bioactivities. Few compounds have been or may be efficiently targeted against infections, inflammatory conditions and for immune modulation. However, for successful management of these metabolic conditions, the nutraceuticals need to be designed into effective nutritional formulations. Over recent years there have been tremendous progress in the re-engineering of structurally delivery vehicles which provide stability, enhance bioaccessibility and bioavailability of these compounds. In this perspective, this review focuses on the structural and functional aspects of several such bio-based delivery vehicles like the micro and nano particles, nano-emulsions and liposome-based models. The aim is to bring forth recent information on the efficacious nutraceuticals and the suitable delivery vehicles which would be useful against infections and inflammatory conditions.