This review reports on the beneficial pharmacological properties of naturally occurring polyphenols for the treatment of inflammatory pulmonary diseases. In addition, it presents an overview of the different types of inhalable formulations which have been developed in order to achieve efficient delivery of polyphenols to the respiratory tract. The main biological activities of polyphenols (anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory) are covered, with particular emphasis on the studies describing their therapeutic effects on different factors and conditions characteristic of lung pathologies. Special focus is on the technological aspects which influence the pulmonary delivery of drugs. The various polyphenol-based inhalable formulations reported in the literature are examined with specific attention to the preparation methodologies, aerosol performance, lung deposition and in vitro and in vivo polyphenol uptake by the pulmonary epithelial cells.
Keywords: Polyphenols; inflammation; inhalable formulations; lung delivery; oxidative stress; pulmonary diseases.