Resveratrol is a grape-derived polyphenol from the stilbens family that has received significant attention in recent years due to its various benefits for human health, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and heart/brain protective effects. However, the utilization of resveratrol as a nutraceutical in the food industry is currently limited due to its poor water solubility, high chemical instability, and low oral bioavailability. Encapsulation of resveratrol can be used to improve its water dispersibility, chemical stability and bioavailability. Recently, nanotechnology-based formulations (nanoformulations) are being looked upon as a novel method for improving the nutraceutical properties, as well as enhancing targetability and bioavailability of resveratrol. This paper reviews delivery systems available to encapsulate, protect and release resveratrol and discusses the success and challenges of resveratrol-encapsulated nanoparticle such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, Liposomes, Niosomes, Nanoemulsions and polymeric nanoparticles in order to enhance its oral bioavailability, chemical instability and water solubility.
