Herbal Drug Nanoparticles: Advancements in Herbal Treatment

Abstract

Herbal medicines have been used all over the world from last many years. Especially in India, there is wide market for herbals. Herbal medicines have less adverse effects as compared with modern medicines. The delivery of plant/herbal therapeutic molecules as drugs is problematic due to poor solubility, poor permeability, low bioavailability, instability in biological milieu and extensive first pass metabolism. These limitations of herbal drugs can be overcome by attaching or encapsulating them with suitable nanomaterials. Over the past decade, major advances have been made on development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) from plant actives and extracts. By developing new formulation as nano herbal medicines like nanoparticles, dendrimers, Nano crystals, Quantum dots, Nanosperes, Nanocapsules, herbal market get good feedback. The new approach in herbals as nanotechnology have a sound future which has a scientific approach to deliver the component in sustained manner which increase the patient compliance and avoid repeated administration. So many conditions like bacterial infection, hepatotoxicity, inflammation, oxidation and chronic diseases like cancer, wound healing can be cured by nano herbals more effectively as compared to allopathic medicines. The next most important step for herbal formulations is their standardization which establishes consistent biological activity, consistent chemical profile or simply a quality assurance program. This review will provide information of the use of nanotechnology for herbal drugs, nanoparticles, formulation techniques of nanoparticles and their standardization.