Nanotechnology-enabled delivery of phytoconstituents: Recent developments, applications, and regulatory considerations
Mohd Danish Ansari, Haya Majid, S. Mahmood, Zarif Mohamed Sofian, Asif Husain, Yasmin Sultana, Faiyaz Shakeel
Abstract
Nanotechnology has revolutionized drug delivery, particularly through nanoformulations of phytoconstituents, enhancing their therapeutic potential. Despite their broad bioactivities, plant-based compounds often suffer from poor bioavailability and stability. Nanoformulations address these limitations by improving solubility, targeted delivery, and controlled release. This approach opens new possibilities for treating chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review aims to examine recent advancements in nanotechnology-based formulation strategies designed to enhance the delivery, stability, and therapeutic efficacy of phytochemicals and also discusses regulatory issues, safety concerns, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Emphasis was placed on nanoformulation techniques employed for key phytoconstituents such as curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and quercetin. The most commonly employed nanocarriers included polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and liposomes. These formulations significantly improved the solubility, stability, and controlled release profiles of phytochemicals. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated enhanced anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. Moreover, surface-modified and targeted nanoparticles showed promise in increasing site-specific targeting and enhancing bioavailability of the encapsulated compounds. Nanoformulations present a promising strategy for overcoming the pharmacokinetic limitations of phytochemicals. Despite encouraging preclinical results, further studies are needed to address issues related to long-term safety, clinical efficacy, and regulatory approval for successful clinical translation.