SYNERGY OF SCIENCE AND TRADITION: A NANOTECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN REVOLUTION IN NATURAL MEDICINE

Usage of plants to treat various ailments is part and parcel of our tradition and culture. Most marketed formulations are directly or indirectly derived from plants only. Herbal plants are potential therapeutic agents against most life-threatening diseases. Despite these advantages, herbal medicines fail clinical trials due to their low aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. To get the maximum benefits out of herbal plants, we must incorporate medicinal herbs in nanotechnology. The nanotechnology approach not only protects herbal medicines in the body but also aids in delivering the same to the site of action with sustained release. The formulation of herbal nanomedicines will be a breakthrough in treating life-threatening diseases and will also aid in the delivery of drugs that conventionally cannot cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). The review summarizes the recent advancements of the various nanocarriers loaded with herbal extracts/Phytoconstituents developed to treat various diseases, especially cancer. It also highlights the regulatory requirements for herbal nanomedicines.