Achievements, constraints and gaps of nano-techniques pertains to augmenting herbal drug efficacy

Herbal drugs although gaining high cultural acceptability with an impression being with lesser side effects, nonetheless suffer from restricted therapeutic values due to their poor aqueous solubility, absorption, liberation, distribution, poor or excessive fast metabolism, insufficient response and low entrapment efficiency. Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have shown their efficacy in reducing these drawbacks and nanotechnology being one of the approaches adopted. Nano dosage forms like polymeric nano-particles, nano-capsules, liposomes, phytosomes, nano-emulstion, ethosomes, prionsmome and micro-emulsions are the examples of NDDS approaches. Botanical, active ingredients, biological activities, efficiency, methods related with preparation of nano formulation and potential advantages of one hundred five herbal drugs have been reviewed. Present endeavor suggested that current endorsed nano-particle systems have in some cases improved the therapeutic index of drugs by reducing drug toxicity or enhancing drug efficacy. Future research appraisal ought to be coordinated toward f inding alternative pathway addressing nano-toxicology, recognition of biological effects of nano-particles in the environment and creation of the bases of nanobio monitoring.