This paper reviews recent studies investigating chitosan nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for quercetin. The therapeutic properties of quercetin include antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-cancer potential, but its therapeutic value is limited by its hydrophobic nature, low bioavailability and fast metabolism. Quercetin may also act synergistically with other stronger drugs for specific disease states. The encapsulation of quercetin in nanoparticles may increase its therapeutic value. Chitosan nanoparticles are a popular candidate in preliminary research, but the complex nature of chitosan makes standardisation difficult. Recent studies have used in-vitro, and in-vivo experiments to study the delivery of quercetin alone or in combination with another active pharmaceutical ingredient encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles. These studies were compared with the administration of non-encapsulated quercetin formulation. Results suggest that encapsulated nanoparticle formulations are better. In-vivo or animal models simulated the type of disease required to be treated. The types of diseases were breast, lung, liver and colon cancers, mechanical and UVB-induced skin damage, cataracts and general oxidative stress. The reviewed studies included various routes of administration: oral, intravenous and transdermal routes. Although toxicity tests were often included, it is believed that the toxicity of loaded nanoparticles needs to be further researched, especially when not orally administered.
Keywords: cancer treatment; chitosan; drug delivery system; nanoparticles; quercetin.