Naringenin and quercetin are flavonoids known to enhance the bioavailability and effectiveness of anticancer drugs by improving drug absorption and promoting cancer cell apoptosis.
Several flavonoids have been shown to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, especially when delivered using advanced technologies such as nanoparticles or in co-delivery systems. The most notable flavonoids highlighted in recent research include:
Quercetin
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
Genistein
Apigenin
Mechanisms and Approaches
Nanoparticle Encapsulation: The encapsulation of flavonoids, such as quercetin and EGCG, in nanoparticles significantly improves their solubility, stability, and bioavailability, leading to enhanced anticancer effects and reduced toxicity when co-delivered with conventional anticancer drugs, including doxorubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, honokiol, and vincristine.
Combination Therapy: Flavonoids can be used in combination with anticancer drugs to exert additive or synergistic effects, improve drug absorption, and overcome multidrug resistance. This approach can also address the pharmacokinetic limitations of both flavonoids and anticancer agents.
Nanocrystal and Encapsulation Technologies: These methods further refine the delivery and bioavailability of flavonoids, enhancing their therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment2.
Flavonoid: Genistein Delivery Approach: Nanoparticles Enhanced Drug Bioavailability/Effect: Improved solubility and bioavailability
Anticancer Drugs Co-delivered: Various
Flavonoid: Apigenin Delivery Approach: Nanoparticles Enhanced Drug Bioavailability/Effect: Improved solubility and bioavailability Example Anticancer Drugs Co-delivered: Various
Quercetin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are the most frequently studied flavonoids that have demonstrated enhanced bioavailability and efficacy of anticancer drugs, especially when delivered via nanoparticles or in co-delivery systems. These strategies enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of both flavonoids and anticancer agents, making them promising candidates for combination cancer therapy.
Quercetin and EGCG are the two flavonoids that can be used for enhancing the bioavailability of anti-cancer drug. There are plethora of research articles that mention their utilisation as enhancers of bioavailability of anti-cancer drugs.