A Review: Herbal Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

A promising strategy to improve the effectiveness and herbal products' bioavailability medications is the development of innovative drug delivery systems based on herbs. These methods enhance the absorption, targeting, and sustained release of herbal active components by utilising novel delivery mechanisms such liposomes, phytosomes, and nanoparticles. These systems offer better therapeutic results, less side effects, and higher patient compliance by resolving the drawbacks of conventional herbal formulations. This review discusses the advantages, varieties, and uses of herbal new drug delivery methods, highlighting their promise in contemporary medicine. Herbal medicine could undergo a revolution if cutting-edge drug delivery technologies are combined with it to provide more efficient and successful therapy for a range of illnesses. Here are some examples: phytosomes, Liposomes, Nanoemulsion, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes.

Keywords

Introduction

Over the past few decades, there has been a lot of research into developing NDDSs for herbal therapies.   Conventional dosage forms, with prolonged-release dosage forms, still have a ways to go before they can meet the dual problems of delivering phytoconstituents to their target location and keeping a stable drug constituent at a rate determined by body's needs during therapy. [1]

Definition: Medications can be found in a variability of forms, including solid particles with diameters ranging from 10 to 1000 nm or in a matrix of dissolved, trapped, encapsulated, or nanoparticles.  Solid nanoparticles, which can take the shape of amorphous or crystalline nano spheres or capsules, can range in size from 10 to 200 nm. Synthesis of nanoparticles was frequently accomplished using polymeric materials. Nano medicine above traditional dosage. [2]

The widespread use of herbal remedies is due mostly to three factors:

1) The over-reliance on pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures is a rising source of concern.

2) Many of maximum predominant health difficulties are still unaddressed by contemporary medicine.

3) There are fewer negative side effects from natural remedies compared to pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures. [3]

Medicinal, cosmetic, or otherwise useful, herbal preparation is a dosage form containing one or more processed herbs in measured amounts with the purpose of diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or otherwise altering the structure or physiology of an organism.   Herbal medicines are made using a wide range of processes, including fermentation, fractionation, extraction, distillation, expression, purification, and whole or partial plants.    Examples include processed exudates, essential oils, tinctures, ground or powdered herbal components, and expressed juices. [4] Here, herbal drug carriers and newly developed drug delivery systems are tailor-made to fulfil specific needs. Research on drug delivery systems has been extensive because to the critical need for these instruments in the medical field for controlled administration of pharmacologically action compounds to various biological tissues and organs. [6]

Herbal drugs:

Herbal dosage forms are the ones that made up of herbal ingredients or components in specific quantity in order to give assistances like nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic. Herbal medicines have shown to be very important and helpful in the search for remedies for diseases that have so far proven to be incurable, according to the growing body of research on plant-based medicine. Due to high demand of the herbal medicine, large scale production off these drugs has become very crucial. This has increased the demand for enhanced shelf life of the active ingredients from the plant sources. Even the delivery of plant based active compound to target area has become of utmost importance because unless the medicine reaches the right place it won”t be able to show any action in the body. [7]

Herbal Novel drug delivery systems possess following advantages:

• Sustained or managed drug delivery systems offer pre-determined drug action by providing sustained or continuous (zero order) release at therapeutically efficient circulation levels, respectively.
• Local drug delivery systems consent drug to act close to target by regulating the release of the drug either spatially or temporarily, typically with a rate-limiting mechanism.
• A pre-programmed drug delivery system makes use of release of drug molecules by establishing a method to regulate molecular diffusion of those molecules.
• Drug action can be achieved through targeted drug administration through the use of carriers or a self-programmed method, usually paired with suitable sensory tools that identify the target receptor.
• Therapeutic pharmacological concentrations in blood or tissues may be preserved for an protracted period of time. [8]

Types of NDDS for Herbal Formulations:

1.Phytosome:

The word "phyto" refers to a plant, whereas "some" means anything that looks like a cell.   Tiny structures called phytosomes are what we call plant cells. These lipid-bound herbal formulations are state-of-the-art because they contain the bioactive phytoconstituents of herb extract [9].  Phytomedicines primarily contain water-soluble compounds that have bioactive components, such as flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolics [10] Bioavailability is higher for phytosomes than for plain herbal extracts.  They can more easily pass through lipid-rich biomembranes and into the bloodstream.  Phytoconstituents, which are chemicals used in the lipid phase, are mostly phosphatidylcholine (PC) and other phospholipids derived from soy.  Membrane components of every known form of life are phospholipids, which are themselves complex compounds. [11]

Advantages of Phyto some are as follows -

• It improves absorption of lipid insoluble polar phytoconstituents when applied topically or orally, which increases their therapeutic efficacy.
• As a result, less dosage is needed to get the same effect. Usage of phosphatidylcholine in phytosome manufacture has a dual purpose: it functions as a carrier and a hepatoprotective.
• This creates a synergistic effect when combined with other hepatoprotective compounds. Phytosomes have a more favourable stability profile because the phosphatidylcholine molecule forms chemical connections with the phytoconstituent. [12]

2.Liposomes:

Word "liposome" gets its origins from Greek words "lipo" meaning "fat" and "soma" meaning "body"; phospholipid is primary component of these enclosed formations. When it comes to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, liposomes are the go-to universal carriers of chemical compounds.  [13] The central bilayer of a liposome is a membrane that encloses the entire aqueous volume; the outer layer is a bilayer of lipids, often phospholipids, either naturally occurring or artificially produced.  Encapsulating a small amount of solvent, the liposomes allow the solvent to diffuse (float) into their interior. [14]

The advantages of liposomes are as follows -

• The ability to entrap both water-soluble and insoluble medicines with structural flexibility.
• A biodegradable product
• Minimised error in release control.
• Similarity to structures found in biological membranes.
• More potential customers to target.  Totally biodegradable, non-toxic, biocompatible, flexible, and non-immunogenic.
• Minimise the risk of harmful medication exposure to delicate tissues. [15]

3. Nanoemulsion:

A nanoemulsion is a stable, isotropic, and optically clear mixture of two incompatible liquids—for example, oil and water—stabilized by a surfactant layer that forms at the interface between the two.  An O/W and W/O nanoemulsion with a surfactant is a liquid dispersion that is stable either thermodynamically or kinetically.  The dispersed phase often contains extremely small particles or droplets, 5 nm to 200 nm in size, with an extremely low oil/water interfacial tension.  Nanoemulsions are see-through due to its small droplet size, which is less than a quarter of the wavelength of sunlight.  Nanoparticles can enhance the bioactivity of medications that are not very water-soluble due to their smaller size and increased surface-to-volume ratio [16, 17] For the benefit of human health, nanoemulsions have been effectively used to administer a variety of drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals.  When compared to more traditional delivery methods, it provides a significant benefit for the oral administration of medications with low solubility.  To date, it has emerged as the primary obstacle to efficient application of herbal bioactive substances to extravagance a wide range of medical conditions. [18]

advantages of nano emulsion are as follows -

• It allows for targeted drug delivery to specific sites
• Nanoemulsions can dissolve large amounts of hydrophobics
• Their long-term stability and capacity to preserve pharmaceuticals from degradation make them an attractive mechanism for medication delivery.
• They are non-irritant and non-toxic
• They can mask tastes. [19]

4.Microsphere:

Microspheres, which can range in size from 1 micron to 50 microns, are spherical, mobile particles composed of man-made polymers or proteins.   Improving the therapeutic efficacy of current pharmaceuticals through the creation of more accurate drug delivery systems is one approach to these problems. The use of microspheres as medication carriers is one such method.  The medicine is delivered to the target place with pinpoint accuracy and stays there without causing any side effects.  Innovative drug delivery systems will utilise it extensively.  Microspheres allow drugs to be delivered to precise locations within the body.  [20] These spherical, biodegradable particles are composed of proteins or synthetic polymers and float freely in environment.   Two major types of microspheres are micromatrices and microcapsules.   This type of structure includes both microcapsules, where the trapped material is contained by a distinct capsule wall, and micromatrices, where the trapped material is distributed across a matrix of microspheres.[21]

The advantages of Microsphere are as follows -

• In addition to reducing incidence of dose and enlightening patient compliance, microspheres offer a consistent and long-lasting therapeutic action.
• They are small, have a spherical shape, and can be injected into the body.
• Bioavailability and safety are both enhanced by more efficient use of drugs.
• Microspheres provide for controlled variations in the release and breakdown of medications, and solidifying oils and other liquids makes them easier to work with. [22]

5. Transferosomes:

Meaning "carrying bodies," the name is quite descriptive.  The term "transferosomes" originates from the Latin word "transferee," which means "to carry across," and the Greek word "soma," meaning "body." Although sharing a fundamental structure with classic liposomes, transferosomes differ from liposomes in a number of important ways, including their pliability, ultra-deformability, and the improved adjustability of their system membrane. [23]

The advantages of Transferosomes are as follows -

• Phospholipid vesicles designed for transdermal drug delivery are known as transferosomes.  Although their mechanisms of action are different, they both share the goal of improving penetration through the stratum corneum barrier.  [24]
•  They are very deformable, which allows them to penetrate intact vesicles more effectively.
• Their entrapment efficiency is excellent, forthcoming 90% in occasion of lipophilic drugs.
•  Drug compounds with extensive variety of solubility can be accommodated by transferosomes since their infrastructure is composed of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties.
•  They store information and release it gradually.
• They are versatile enough to be employed for medication administration both systemically and topically.[25]

6. Ethosome:

Ethosomes are a new kind of drug delivery vehicle that can pass through biological membranes, most notably the skin, with minimal degradation.  A little tweak to the tried-and-true drug carrier liposome yields ETHosomes.  Phospholipids, water, and relatively high concentrations of alcohol (ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) make up ethosomes, which are lipid vesicles.  Soft vesicles known as ethosomes contain phospholipids, water, and ethanol (in larger amounts).  The size of an ethosome can range from a few microns to tens of nanometres.  Systemic and topical medications have the most comprehensive and versatile route of administration through the skin.  There is a decrease in the bioavailability of topically applied pharmaceuticals due to stratum corneum's impermeability to drugs.   [26] The generation of vesicles by ethosomes is dependent on these vesicular phospholipids, which are an integral aspect of the ethosomal system.    We use phospholipids in quantities between half a percent and ten percent. A number of phospholipids, including PC, hydrogenated PC, and PE, have different molecular structures. A variety of sources can provide phospholipids, including eggs, soybeans, semi-synthetics, and synthetics. [27]

The advantages of Ethosome are as follows -

• The formulation of this ethosomal drug delivery system includes non-toxic raw materials, and it has numerous potential applications in the pharmaceutical, veterinary, and cosmetic industries.
• Since the ethosomal medicine is applied in a semisolid form, such as a gel or cream, the patient is more likely to comply with the treatment plan. Additionally, the Ethosomal system is non-invasive, passive, and may be commercialised right away. [28]

7. Nanoparticle:

Particulate systems, manufactured structures, and assemblages spanning the nanometre scale (a few to 250 nm) share a common characteristic.  It is possible for materials' physical and biological characteristics to change when reduced to the nanometre scale from their bulk volume counterparts. These differences make nanostructures appealing for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.  Due to their miniature size compared to a cell, nanoparticles are able to transport a multitude of medications, contrast agents, or fluorescent probes into or out of the cell without interfering with its normal functioning.  [29] The controlled and specific administration of hydrophobic and hydrophilic phytochemicals is made possible by fabricating nanoparticles with varying surface properties and particle sizes.    Depending on the drug's properties and the production method, the precise mechanism by which nanoparticles release phytochemicals can be bulk erosion in the matrix or surface erosion in the polymer. Salting out, solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation, and dialysis are some of the procedures used to create nanoparticles.  Because of their small size and great biocompatibility, polymeric nanoparticles find widespread application in nanotechnology. [30]

The advantages of Nanoparticle are as follows -

• These possess property of sustained release and biodegradability.
• Increased absorption through the oral and topical routes increases the bioavailability of lipid insoluble polar phytoconstituents, resulting in a more profound therapeutic action.
• The dosage need of the active ingredient(s) decreases as their absorption rate improves. [31]

CONCLUSION:

From this paper it can be concluded that the new advancements in pitch of medicine has enabled the development of more advanced systems of drug delivery which have many positive features. The uses of various NDDS like phytosomes, Liposomes, Nanoemulsion, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes etc. have imparted various positive advantages to the drugs. These new technologies can prove exceptionally useful in successful drug delivery in case of herbal medicines. Since the plant-based ingredients are extra sensitive and their properties can be altered by even slightest of adversity in the body, therefore keeping these molecules stable and protected from degradation can be achieved by using the advanced NDDSs. There is still scope for more extensive research in the area novel drug delivery systems. Certain promising ingredients like phytotomies and nanoparticles can be studied further and better understanding of them may lead to improvements in the field of medicine.

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