Nanodrug delivery system using medicinal plants

The use of herbal medicines is a common practice around the world since ancient times. The recent advancement in the field of phytochemical and phytopharmacological sciences has helped to elucidate the composition and biological activities of several medicinal plant products. The active component of most of the medicinal plants is water soluble but has a low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, have an excessively high molecular size, or are poorly absorbed, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. One of the novel approaches to overcome these disadvantages is the use of nanotechnology. The process helps to increase the bioavailability and also to cross various biological barriers because of the size range. The nanosystems can deliver the active constituent at any particular concentration during the entire treatment period and also helps in directing it to the desired site of action. Conventional treatments do not meet these requirements. This review gives overall information about the commonly used natural medicine and the nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems.