The biological activity of encapsulated hesperetin

Hesperetin, a flavone abundant in citrus fruits, has been associated with reducing the risk of degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as it has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, due to its low bioavailability, hesperetin is difficult to go through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is hardly transported and absorbed by the intestine. This limits its biological properties in the human body. Therefore, finding an effective way to deal with this problem is very crucial.

Aim
To ensure the encapsulated hesperetin can exert its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and figure out its potential fate after digestion.

Approach
We are trying to develop liposomes, spray-drying, and freeze-drying microcapsules to help hesperetin go through the stomach and reach the intestine.

References
^{Bondonno NP, Dalgaard F, Kyro C, et al. Flavonoid intake is associated with lower mortality in the Danish Diet Cancer and Health Cohort. Nat Commun. Aug 13 2019;10(1):3651. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-11622-x}