Advances in anthocyanin nanoparticle delivery systems in anti-inflammatory therapies

Chronic inflammation, a major global health burden, is a significant contributor to various diseases, including liver and kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, myocardial dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, sepsis, and even cancer. Anthocyanins (ACNs), natural pigments widely distributed in diverse angiosperms, are renowned for their biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and antibacterial effects. They have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in modulating inflammation and treating a broad spectrum of inflammatory disorders. However, low bioavailability, instability, and uncontrollable distribution and excretion of ACNs have significantly restricted their applications. Encapsulation of ACNs into nanomaterials has therefore emerged as a viable strategy to overcome these limitations. Despite growing interest in this field, no comprehensive reviews has yet systematically examined the anti-inflammatory activity of ACN-loaded nanoparticles (NPs). In this review, we provide an in-depth summary of the preparation techniques, physicochemical properties, and functional characteristics of ACNs-loaded NPs based on polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and metal NPs, and critically evaluate their direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential and underlying regulatory mechanisms of ACNs-loaded NPs in inflammatory diseases, including colitis, neuritis, and wound inflammation. This review aims to offer a comprehensive reference for the development of function-enhanced novel ACNs-loaded NPs and paves the way for their future clinical application.