Abstract

HERBONANOCEUTICALS AS A POTENTIAL STRATEGY IN DELIVERY OF ANTICANCEROUS COMPOUNDS

Anit Joji George*, Fels Saju and Bharat Mishra

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Abstract

Herbonanoceuticals are materials fabricated using herbs at nanoscale with the aim of changing physiological function of the body. Green nanotechnology is a novel concept brought about to synthesize nanoparticles from biologically active phytocompounds, utilizing full potential of natural resources in curing and treating diseases. These engineered products can enhance the delivery to the site of action, which overcomes the inefficient delivery of drugs due to difficulty in tumor penetration. The different nanoplatforms that are used to deliver these phytopharmaceuticals to the site include metallic nanocarriers, polymeric nanocarriers, ceramic nanocarriers, liposomes, etc. and can be achieved by means of either active or passive targeting. Nanotechnology opens the gate to wide applications in the field of research. Proper design of nanocarriers could enhance the tumor penetration, thereby the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug delivery system. Barriers that restrict the entry of tumor microenvironment should be considered while designing a nanocarrier, which generates the necessity of research in the influence of factors such as size, surface charge, biodegradability, etc. in enhanced tumor penetration.

Keywords: Herbonanoceuticals, Green nanotechnology, anticancer therapy, EPR effect, biocompatibility.