Pharmaceutical Nanosciences and their Application in the Delivery of Various Phytoconstituents

Nanoscience provides numerous opportunities for pharmaceutical scientists. Due to the continuing progress of nanoparticle-based medicines, the opportunity to treat and combat difficult diseases, especially with herbal remedies, can be achieved. The use of herbs is effective when their active constituents reach the intended target. However, the flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids present in herbs are hydrophilic and unable to pass through cell lipid membranes. Therefore, their absorption is poor, resulting in reduced availability and biological efficacy, increased dosage, and frequency of use. Nanoengineering has verified that nanoparticles have significant potential as drug carriers. Size reduction methods and technologies produce a wide variety of nanostructures, which are indicative of specific physicochemical and biological properties. This delivery system plays an essential role in increasing the solubility, bioavailability, pharmacological effect, stability, effectiveness, selectivity, and drug specificity of its bioactive constituents. Nanoscale models such as phytosomes, liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and ethosomes are used to deliver various bioactive constituents at adequate doses to the target during the entire treatment period. Phospholipid complex techniques have recently been introduced to overcome these barriers either by enhancing their dissolving capacity or their potential ability to traverse biological membranes and protect the active herbal constituents against degradation. Therefore, this chapter discusses the application of nanoscience for delivering various phytoconstituents in order to achieve therapeutic targets.