Recent Advancements in Bioactive Natural Products and Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, necessitating new treatment strategies. Bioactive natural products are a promising source of anticancer drugs because of their complex structures and ability to target multiple pathways, such as inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis. However, issues like poor solubility, stability, and bioavailability have limited their clinical use. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery offers a revolutionary approach by improving the pharmacokinetics and targeted delivery of anticancer agents, including natural compounds. Different types of nanoparticles, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles, use the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to increase drug accumulation in tumors while reducing off-target toxicity. This study explores the potential of combining natural products with nanoparticle delivery systems to overcome drug resistance and enhance therapeutic effectiveness. It highlights significant achievements, including FDA-approved nanoparticle-based drugs and innovative combination therapies. The review also discusses current limitations, such as toxicity, scalability, and regulatory hurdles, while looking ahead to emerging themes like smart nanoparticles and personalized medicine. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the importance of integrating bioactive natural products with nanotechnology, presents future research directions, and advocates for translational studies and clinical trials to advance cancer treatment.