Department of Quality Assurance, Vidya Bharti college of Pharmacy, Amravati.
Herbal medicines have been widely used around the world since ancient times. The advancement of phytochemical and phytopharmacological sciences has enabled elucidation of the composition and biological activities of several medicinal plant products. The effectiveness of many species of medicinal plants depends on the supply of active compounds. Most of the biologically active constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly soluble in water, but have low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, have excessively high molecular size, or are poorly absorbed, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. Some extracts are not used clinically because of these obstacles. It has been widely proposed to combine herbal medicine with nanotechnology, because nanostructured systems might be able to potentiate the action of plant extracts, reducing the required dose and side effects, and improving activity. Nanosystems can deliver the active constituent at a sufficient concentration during the entire treatment period, directing it to the desired site of action. Conventional treatments do not meet these requirements. The purpose of this study is to review nanotechnology based drug delivery systems and herbal medicines. This study explores the synergistic potential of nanotechnology and herbal drugs in the field of disease therapy. By combining the targeted delivery capabilities of nanocarriers with the therapeutic properties of herbal compounds, this approach aims to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. The investigation involves the development of novel nanocarrier systems for herbal drug encapsulation and delivery to target cells. The study further evaluates the bioavailability, cytotoxicity, and overall therapeutic impact of this integrated approach, offering promising insights into a potentially potent and more sustainable treatment strategy.
The WHO has recently defined traditional medicine (including herbal drugs) as comprising therapeutic practices that have been in existence, often for hundreds of years, before the development and spread of modern medicine and are still in use today. Traditional medicine is the synthesis of therapeutic experience of generations of practicing physicians of indigenous system of medicine. Traditional preparations comprise medicinal plants, minerals and organic matter etc. Herbal drugs constitute only those traditional medicines which primarily use medicinal plant preparations for therapy. The earliest recorded evidence of their use in Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Syrian texts dates back to about 5000 years. The classical Indian texts includeRigveda, Atharvaveda, Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. The junction of the rich knowledge from different traditional systems of medicine can lead to new avenues in herbal drug discovery process[1]. The combination of herbal medicine with the nanotechnology is nowadays has becoming a great strategy for delivering the drug. Using modern techniques, Herbal drug could provide novel molecular probes. It is now possible to explore the mechanism of action of herbal drugs in terms of current concept of molecular pharmacology. Nanotechnology is defined as applied science and technology which aims to develop devices and dosage forms in the range of 1 to 100 nm. The applications of nanotechnology for treatment, diagnosis, monitoring, and control of biological systems have recently been referred to as nanomedicine. Nanosystems output is the active constituent at a sufficient concentration during the entire treatment period, directing it to the desired site of action. Conventional treatments fail to complete these requirements. The purpose of this study is to review nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Most of the biologically active constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly water-soluble, but demonstrate a low absorption, because they are unable to cross lipid membranes, have high molecular sizes, and demonstrate poor absorption, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. Some studies have shown that herbal medicines have good activity in assays in vitro, which are not reproducible in experiments in vivo[2]. Furthermore, some essential elements like (microsphere and liposomes) properties. E.g. Although the majority of this work includes the use of microspheres, liposomes and gels are limited to the delivery of macromolecules (e.g., insulin and growth hormone)[3]. Several nanotechnological strategies, such as polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liquid crystal (LC) systems, precursors systems for liquid crystals (PSLCs), liposomes, and micro emulsions, have attempted to break this barrier; they allow substances with different properties to be used in the same formulation, and may even change a substance’s properties and behaviour in a biological environment. These technological discoveries have revolutionized process of drug delivery. The new drug delivery systems have the ability not only to increase the effectiveness of active components, but also to reintroduce other components that could help in the drug delivery process and ultimately the enhancement of drug efficacy as well as its effectiveness.
History and development
Since ancient days, natural products, including plants, have been the basis of treatment of human diseases. The basis of concept of modern medicine development remains rooted in traditional medicine and therapies[4,5]. In different parts of the world like ancient China, Egypt, Africa, America, and India, plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Chemical analysis first became available in the early 19 century which started the extraction and modification of herbal ingredients[4,6]. For a long time, herbal medicines were not considered for development as novel formulations owing to lack of scientific justification and processing difficulties, such as standardization, extraction, and identification of individual drug components in complex polyherbal systems. However, modern phytopharmaceuticals research solves the scientific needs for herbal medicines as in modern medicine, which gives way for developing novel formulations such as nanoparticles, micro-emulsions, matrix systems, solid dispersions, liposomes, SLNs, and so on. Nanomicellar system[7], nanotubes[8], and colloidal nanogels have been developed for curcumin to be used alone as well as in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents like paclitaxel[9].
Need for novel drug delivery system “nano-carriers” for “herbal remedies”
Before reaching to the blood, many constituents of the herbal drugs will be smashed in the highly acidic pH of the stomach and other constituents might be metabolized by the liver. Resultant, the optimum quantity of the herbal drugs may not reach the blood. If the drug does not reach in the optimum amount to the infected region at “minimum effective level,” then there will be no means to show the therapeutic effect of the drug. Nanocarriers applying to herbal remedies will carry optimum amount of the drug to their site of action bypassing all the barriers such as acidic pH of stomach, liver metabolism and increase the prolonged circulation of the drug into the blood due to their small size[9,10].
Advantages of herbal nanoparticle delivery system
Types of Nanoparticles
Table 1: List Of Some Herbal Drugs Used In Cancer Therapy
CONCLUSION:-
The integration of nanotechnology with herbal medicines presents a promising approach to overcome challenges associated with the bioavailability and efficacy of medicinal plant products. This study emphasizes the potential of nanosystems in delivering active constituents at targeted concentrations throughout the treatment period, particularly in the context of cancer therapy. By developing novel nanocarrier systems, this synergistic approach aims to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects, providing valuable insights for a more sustainable and potent cancer treatment strategy. The historical roots of herbal medicines, combined with advancements in nanotechnology, showcase the evolution of traditional practices into innovative and scientifically justified formulations, paving the way for future developments in drug delivery system. This approach addresses challenges like poor bioavailability and efficacy of herbal extracts by utilizing nanocarrier systems. The review underscores the historical significance of herbal medicines and the recent advancements in nanotechnology, emphasizing the potential synergy between the two in drug delivery systems. The advantages of herbal nanoparticle delivery systems, such as high drug concentration at disease sites and reduced side effects, make them a compelling option for improving treatment. The comprehensive exploration of various nanocarrier types and a detailed list of herbal drugs used in cancer therapy further contribute to the understanding of this innovative approach. Overall, the study provides insights into a potentially potent and more sustainable treatment strategy through the combination of nanotechnology and herbal drugs.
REFERENCES
Vaibhav V. Narwade, M. D. Game, Sanket G. Kadam, A Review On Nanotechnology In Herbal Medicine, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2024, Vol 2, Issue 4, 411-416. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10937867
10.5281/zenodo.10937867
