Green solvents combined with bioactive compounds as delivery systems: present status and future trends

Abstract

Green solvents such as ionic liquids (ILs) unlock possibilities for developing innovative biomedical and pharmaceutical solutions. ILs are the most investigated solvents for compound extractions, as reaction media and/or catalysts, and a desired eco-friendly solvent to process biomacromolecules for biomaterial production. Investigations demonstrate that the tunable nature and physicochemical features of ILs are also beneficial for building up delivery systems through their combination with bioactive compounds. Bioactive compounds from synthetic origins, like ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and natural sources such as curcumin, flavonoids, and polyphenols are essential starting points as preventive and therapeutic agents for treating diseases. Therefore, the association of those compounds with ILs opens up windows of opportunities in this research field. This Review assesses some of the main and important recent information and the current challenges concerning delivery platforms based on ILs combined with bioactive compounds of both natural and synthetic origins. Moreover, the chemistry, bioavailability, and biological functions of the main bioactive compounds used in the ILs-based delivery platforms are described. These data are presented and are discussed, together with the main delivery routes of the systems.