Hydrogel: An Encouraging Nanocarrier System for the Delivery of Herbal Bioactive Compounds

Herbal medicine is a significant component of traditional medicine and has been a part of the treatment of many diseases. Asian people are using herbal medicines for decades. Still, the therapeutic efficacy and pharmaceutical application of herbal extracts encounter difficulties associated with many factors, such as poor bioavailability, low solubility, permeability and lack of targeting potential. Hydrogels are a hydrophilic polymeric network and able to permeate a significant volume of fluids. Hydrogels are biologically compatible and can allow for the sustained release of drugs. These have thus attracted the attention of extensive pharmaceutical formulation studies. The present article first provides a general overview of the hydrogel as a professional nanocarrier. Secondly, the relationship between hydrogel properties and carrier efficiency deliberation has been discussed. In the end, the focus is on the latest technological progress over hydrogel-based materials as herbal medicine carriers. The potential application of hydrogel systems as a carrier for herbal bioactive delivery has shown remarkable promise. This study would be helpful for researchers in the relevant field to understand the most recent advancements in the production of hydrogel-based elements as a vehicle for the delivery of herbal drugs.