Therapeutic Potential of Pistacia Extracts in the Prevention and Treatment of Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases: The Role of Nanotechnology in Improving Bioavailability

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and ageing. This review (2015–2025) explores the therapeutic potential of extracts from various parts of Pistacia species in counteracting conditions related to oxidative stress. These extracts are rich in polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, sterols, and triterpenoids, and exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, and anti-ageing properties. Their mechanisms include free radical scavenging, NF-κB pathway inhibition, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, and protection of neuronal function. However, traditional delivery methods limit their clinical use due to poor bioavailability and stability. Nanotechnology-based carriers–such as lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and polymeric systems–address these challenges, enabling controlled release, increased bioactivity, and targeted delivery, including across the blood-brain barrier. Nanoformulations of Pistacia extracts have demonstrated promising effects in preclinical models, warranting further investigation in clinical settings, offering promising prospects for innovative treatments. This review emphasizes the significant medical potential of Pistacia species in vitro and in vivo as sources of natural bioactive compounds for developing new, more effective therapeutic strategies using nanotechnology.