NANOTECHNOLOGY APPROACHES IN HERBAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

Herbal medicines have been used worldwide since ancient times and continue to remain especially popular in India because of their therapeutic potential and minimal side effects. However, the clinical application of many herbal compounds is limited by challenges such as poor bioavailability, low aqueous solubility, instability under physiological conditions, rapid metabolism, and non-specific targeting. To overcome these limitations, the integration of nanotechnology with herbal medicine has emerged as a promising approach. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) enhance the pharmacological efficacy of herbal compounds by improving their solubility, stability, absorption, and targeted delivery while minimizing toxicity and reducing the required dosage. Various nanocarriers, including polymeric, metallic, magnetic, and lipid-based nanoparticles, have been explored for the efficient encapsulation and controlled release of herbal bioactive constituents. Advanced characterization techniques such as UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, and DLS are employed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and performance of these nanoparticles. Herbal nanoparticles have demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of chronic and life-threatening diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders. This review highlights the synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and therapeutic applications of herbal nanoparticles, emphasizing their role in improving treatment efficacy and sustainability. The integration of nanotechnology with herbal medicine offers a novel and environmentally friendly strategy for the development of advanced drug delivery systems in modern healthcare.