title: Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and herbal medicines: a review.
abstract: Herbal medicines have been widely used around the world since ancient times. The advancement of phytochemical and phytopharmacological sciences has enabled elucidation of the composition and biological activities of several medicinal plant products. The effectiveness of many species of medicinal plants depends on the supply of active compounds. Most of the biologically active constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly soluble in water, but have low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, have excessively high molecular size, or are poorly absorbed, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. Some extracts are not used clinically because of these obstacles. It has been widely proposed to combine herbal medicine with nanotechnology, because nanostructured systems might be able to potentiate the action of plant extracts, reducing the required dose and side effects, and improving activity. Nanosystems can deliver the active constituent at a sufficient concentration during the entire treatment period, directing it to the desired site of action. Conventional treatments do not meet these requirements. The purpose of this study is to review nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and herbal medicines.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna Vidal
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Bonifácio
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia Bento da
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus Aparecido Dos Santos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kamila Maria Silveira
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Taís Maria
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bauab
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marlus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chorilli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: biological activity; drug delivery systems; herbal medicines; nanotechnology; natural products