Natural Products and Nanopharmaceuticals

Abstract

Background: Natural products have been used in medicine as major source of drugs for many years. However, their efficacy is still limited because of their chemical characteristics, such as low hydrophilicity. Using different drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology is an interesting approach to improve natural products-based formulations, in order to overcome those limitations. Major advances: This review highlighted how nanocarriers can be useful in increasing bioavailability and efficacy of the natural products, presenting nanopharmaceuticals based on drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, phytosomes, among others. This chapter reviewed how they can be crucial in developing appropriate therapeutic treatments. The major reported studies revealed several examples of very promising nanopharmaceuticals with a better safety profile, environmental-friendly dosage form and its process of production and, ultimately, nanopharmaceuticals with a high drug’s bioavailability.