Advancement in nanocarrier-mediated delivery of herbal bioactives: from bench to beside

Abstract

The resurgence of interest in traditional herbal remedies stems from an increasing appreciation for their complex phytochemical profiles and potential for synergistic therapeutic effects. However, the therapeutic potential of plant extracts is often limited by poor absorption and potential toxicity related to conventional delivery methods. This review explores the application of nanocarrier-mediated delivery systems, such as nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, and nanoemulsions, to address these challenges. These biocompatible carriers offer enhanced stability and targeted delivery of herbal compounds, improving their efficacy and reducing unwanted side effects. By enabling precise distribution, nanotechnology optimizes the potency of herbal medicine across diverse applications, including regenerative medicine, wound healing, anticancer, and infection treatment. This review provides a systematic description of successful applications of nano-delivery technologies, nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and hybrid carriers, for the targeted delivery of some well-characterized herbal bioactives (curcumin, allicin, berberine, resveratrol etc.) and the enhanced therapeutic performance of herbal bioactives across a variety of preclinical models.