Formulations of galangin and its derivatives with antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-neurodegenerative effects: Recent advances and challenges

Numerous biomedical activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anti-obesity, anti-genotoxic, anti-neurodegenerative, and antidiabetic activities have been indicated for galangin flavonol. As the main application, galangin can be utilized as a potential adjuvant for reducing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, nod-like receptor protein 3 signals, and nuclear factor-kappa B, have been found for the main anti-inflammatory mechanisms of galangin. Several disadvantages including sensitivity to light, temperature, pH, low insolubility in aqueous medium, and semi-permeability to gastrointestinal barriers have been indicated for galangin. For overcoming these clinical limitations, presenting efficacious formulations composed of micro or nanomaterials is critical. This mini-review made an effort to discuss the advances and challenges of these formulations with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-neurodegenerative, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-osteoporosis activities for opening novel avenues of future investigations.