A REVIEW ON HERBAL NANOPARTICLES
Herbal remedies have been used for their therapeutic benefits and lack of side effects since ancient times. However, they were not taken into consideration for creating fresh formulations because of a lack of scientific rationale and processing issues. These needs can now be met by cutting-edge phytopharmaceutical research creating innovative medication delivery methods like nanoparticles. Drug delivery uses nanocarriers, such as carbon-based compounds, polymers, and micelles, to deliver hydrophobic and hydrophilic medications. Given their natural state and lower cytotoxicity compared to manufactured compounds, protein-based nanocarriers hold great potential for medication and gene delivery applications. Artemisia annua, an annual herb with a single stem and strong antimalarial properties, and berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid that is naturally present in medicinal plants, are two examples of herbal nanoparticle compositions.
An overview of the methods used to load natural drugs into pharmaceutical carriers and the assessment procedure
Because herbal medicines have fewer side effects and may treat a wide range of illnesses, they are becoming more and more popular. Nevertheless, due to their high first-pass metabolism and potential instability in acidic pH, they offer fewer therapeutic benefits. Herbal medications are incorporated into nanoparticles, which are made with phytoconstituents that are derived from plants, in order to overcome these restrictions. Hot and cold homogenization are methods for loading nanoparticles that entail heating the drug in a surfactant solution and then cooling it with cryogenic equipment. These techniques are frequently employed to create formulations of lipid-based nanoparticles.
Enhanced Action of Herbal Remedies via Nanotechnology
Effective disease prevention and treatment depend on the delivery of phytochemicals, and innovative drug delivery methods based on nanotechnology have been created for the delivery of herbal medicines. The potential of lipid-based carrier systems, such as vesicular systems, lipid particulates, and nanoemulsions, to boost the stability and bioactivity of phytochemical substances has drawn attention. Drug solubility, effectiveness, and bioavailability can all be enhanced by liposomes because of their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Nevertheless, liposomes exhibit stability problems and self-leakage when exposed to specific medications. A common stabilizer used to preserve liposome stability is DSPE–MPEG 2000 (DP). Micelles, polymersomes, and dendrimers are examples of structures that can be formed using polymers as phytochemical transporters. Poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (PGLA), alginate, albumin, chitosan, starch, and polylactic acid are a few examples of synthetic and natural polymers that are employed.
Nanotechnology for study on plants and natural remedies
Since ancient times, natural items and herbal medicines have been utilized to treat a wide range of illnesses. Biologically active substances are naturally occurring compounds that are created by animal, plant, bacterial, and fungal species. Herbal goods and their derivatives, including conventional medications, are becoming increasingly important in the market. Using nanotechnology, researchers have used components from Chinese plants to make a novel anti-cancer medication. The novel medication can penetrate diseased cells without harming healthy ones since it is made by distilling anti-cancer components from Chinese herbs such as liquorice root, saltwort, cassia twigs, and milkvetch root. Four benefits of the medication are that it solely eliminates malignant cells, acts quickly to treat symptoms, doesn’t damage other organs, and may be taken orally without a prescription.
nanotechnology in herbal medicine
1-Introduction to Herbal Medicine:
Herbal medicine has been used for centuries, with plants providing a rich source of phytochemicals or secondary metabolites. These compounds exhibit diverse biological activities and have been harnessed for traditional medicinal purposes. Herbal medicines are often preferred due to their low side effects, cost-effectiveness, and general acceptance by the public.
2-Nanotechnology in Herbal Medicine:
Nanotechnology operates at the nanoscale, where particles have diameters of approximately 0.1 μm (submicrometer). Researchers have explored nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems to address limitations associated with herbal medicines.
Challenges faced by herbal medicines include low solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Some herbal compounds may undergo physical and chemical degradation, reducing their pharmacological activity.
Nanotechnology offers solutions by enhancing the activity of herbal medicines. Here’s how:
Nanoparticles: Nanoscale drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, can encapsulate herbal compounds. These nanoparticles improve solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
3-Applications of Nanotechnology in Herbal Medicine:
Cancer Therapy: Nanoparticles loaded with herbal compounds can selectively target cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Cardiovascular Disease: Nanotechnology can enhance the delivery of herbal antioxidants, which play a role in cardiovascular health.
Wound Healing: Herbal nanoformulations can accelerate wound healing by promoting tissue regeneration.