Nanopharmaceutics and Pharmacognosy Integration for Targeted Delivery of Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plant Sources

Abstract

Nanopharmacy and Pharmacy are both relatively new fields of study focused on utilizing plant-sourced bioactive metabolites to produce medicines with greater effectiveness. Numerous phytochemicals possess powerful biological activity; however, very few are actually used in clinical practice due in part to their poor solubility, low bioavailability, limited stability, and rapid clearance or metabolism. The combined efforts of Nanopharmacy and Pharmacy have created new methodologies for the effective and accurate delivery of natural products by employing various forms of nanocarriers. Among other benefits, Nanocarriers enhance phytoconstituents’ stability, enhance the extent of their absorption, and provide for target-specific delivery while minimizing phytoconstituents’ toxicity and adverse effects. The multidisciplinary collaboration of Nanopharmacy and Pharmacy has the potential to reduce the required dosage and maximize the duration of pharmaceutical products—the result being an increase in the effective therapeutic benefits of natural products. Additionally, advanced forms of nanoformulations improve the permeability of biological barriers and enhance the cellular bioavailability of herbal bioactives. Green methods of synthesizing nanopharmaceuticals from plants provide increased safety and environmental stability in the development of nanomedicines. The combined efforts of Nanopharmacy and Pharmacy provide an exciting opportunity to develop safe, effective, and targeted herbal medicines for use in present day medical systems, as well as inspire future pharmaceutical innovations.