Introduction of Nanotechnology in Herbal Drugs and Nutraceutical: A Review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an opening up for new perspectives in all scientific and technological fields. Among these applications, herbal drugs and nutraceuticals are the fast growing fields in nanoresearch. A variety of new herbal formulations and nutraceuticals like polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanoemulsions, transferosomes and ethosomes has been reported using bioactive, plant extracts and food materials. New herbal drugs and nutraceuticals are reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, expansion of stability, sustained delivery, improved tissue macrophages distribution, protection from toxicity, enhancement of pharmacological activity and protection from physical and chemical degradation. This review provides an overview of the introduction of nanotechnology in the field of herbal drugs and nutraceuticals