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Amar Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Jujhar Singh Memorial College of Pharmacy, Bela, Ropar, Punjab, India
Herbal treatments have been used in traditional medical systems for the treatment and prevention of various diseases for a long time. However, the poor water solubility, low bioavailability, instability, rapid metabolism, and low target specificity of botanical components often compromise their clinical applications despite their therapeutic potential. Modern pharmaceutical technology has revolutionized herbal medicines by developing sophisticated delivery systems that can improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of phytoconstituents. Potential approaches to improve the efficacy and safety of herbal drugs are phytosomes, liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, transfersomes, ethosomes, dendrimers, microspheres and polymeric nanoparticles. Modern herbal formulations can be successfully used for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, skin disorders and antimicrobial therapy.Since ancient times, many traditional medical systems have employed herbal remedies for treatment and prevention of various diseases. However, the therapeutic potential of botanical components is often limited by their poor water solubility, low bioavailability, instability, rapid metabolism and low target specificity for clinical applications. Modern pharmaceutical technology has revolutionized herbal medicines by developing sophisticated delivery systems which can improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of phytoconstituents. Phytosomes, liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, transfersomes, ethosome, dendrimers, microspheres and polymeric nanoparticles are potential approaches for improving efficacy and safety of herbal drugs. Modern herbal formulations can be successfully used for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, skin disorders and antimicrobial therapy.
Medicinal herbs are widely used in traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, according to the World Health Organization. The major therapeutic effects are due to the presence of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties(1).However, the therapeutic use of these substances is often limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, volatility, and rapid metabolism. Curcumin has potent pharmacological activity, but its oral bioavailability is extremely low because of its poor solubility and rapid degradation(2).Resveratrol toois heavily metabolized, which diminishes its therapeutic effectiveness. To overcome these limitations, modern drug delivery techniques like liposomes, phytosomes, nanoemulsions, and nanoparticles have been developed. These techniques enhance the absorption and targeted delivery, increase the solubility, and protect the phytoconstituents from degradation(3).Various studies have proven the significance of herbal nanoformulations in improving therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability. Nanocarriers also help in overcoming biological barriers such as the blood–brain barrier and provide sustained drug release. Such developments have increased the use of herbal remedies for conditions such as cancer and skin conditions where improved drug delivery is desirable(4).
Herbal Constituents: These compounds display diverse pharmacological traits and exhibit chemical diversity Alkaloids, flavonoids (alkali compounds), terpenoids, and polyphenols, as well as glycoside substances and essential oils, are the main classes(5).Alkaloids, which include nitrogen, exhibit potent pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, and cancer-preventive effects. Polyphenolic compounds found in plants, known as flavonoids, possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Certain compounds, such as quercetin and rutin (which also appear to reduce oxidative stress), are not very effective in the therapeutic context due to their high metabolism time and low water solubility(6).A broad range of biologically relevant secondary metabolites, known as terpenoids, are present in the organism(7).Resveratrol and other polyphenols are powerful antioxidants with neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. Due to their rapid metabolism and insufficient systemic availability, their therapeutic effectiveness is limited. Even though volatile molecules of essential oils have shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they are not commonly used in medicine due to their high volatility and instability(8).
Table 1: Major Herbal Constituents and Their Limitations
|
Class |
Example |
Activity |
Limitation |
|
Alkaloids |
Berberine |
Antidiabetic |
Poor absorption |
|
Flavonoids |
Quercetin |
Antioxidant |
Low solubility |
|
Terpenoids |
Curcumin |
Anticancer |
Low bioavailability |
|
Polyphenols |
Resveratrol |
Cardioprotective |
Rapid metabolism |
|
Essential oils |
Menthol |
Antimicrobial |
Instability |
Need for Modern Formulation of Herbal Constituents
The primary disadvantage of herbal remedies is their ineffective absorption, not their pharmacological effect. Many phytoconstituents have strong effects in vivo, but they are not comparable to the clinical outcomes achieved with other compounds due to their poor physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Among the major problems is the low solubility in water(9). Oral administration of quercetin and curcumin, due to their lipophilicity and poor solubility in biological fluids, results in limited absorption. Despite being greater in dosage, only a small amount is circulated through the body. Another major problem is the low bioavailability, most of it due to poor permeability and high first-pass metabolism. As an example, the fast metabolism of resveratrol and berberine leads to extremely low plasma levels(10). Lipid-based carriers and nanoparticles are among the latest delivery methods that reduce metabolic loss while increasing absorption. The sensitivity of phytoconstituents to pH, light and oxygen changes, as well as heat properties, causes problems with stability. These substances are made more stable and secure by encapsulation in nanocarriers(11).
Table 2: Key Reasons for Modern Formulation
|
Limitation |
Impact |
Solution |
|
Poor solubility |
Low absorption |
Nanoformulations |
|
Low bioavailability |
Reduced efficacy |
Lipid/nanocarriers |
|
Instability |
Drug degradation |
Encapsulation |
|
No targeting |
Less drug is at the site. |
Targeted delivery |
|
Short half-life |
Frequent dosing |
Sustained release |
Classes of Modern Herbal Formulations
The primary focus of modern herbal formulations is to enhance the way phytoconstituents function in the body, rather than relying on their intrinsic pharmacological activity. Most herbal chemicals are toxic due to their low bioavailability, volatility (vulnerabilities), poor solubility, and lack of targeting. The development of drug delivery methods, particularly those based on lipids and nanoparticles, has been driven by the need to overcome these issues and enhance therapeutic efficacy.(12).
Phytosomes: Phytosomes, which are complexes formed by phosphatidylcholine and phytoconstituents in the presence of phospholipids, have a molecular interaction. Absorption and permeability of the membrane are amplified. In contrast to simple encapsulation, phytosomes are more stable and bioavailable. Traditional extracts have been compared to curcumin, quercetin, and silymarin phytosome in terms of absorption and therapeutic results(13).
Liposomes: Phosphorlipid bilayers known as liposomes serve as vesicular carriers that contain hydrophilic and lipophilic medications. These molecules can also be used as scaffolds for the packaging of these drugs. Enhanced compatibility and better medication distribution are achieved through their structural similarities to biological membranes. Controlled release, reduced toxicity, and improved medication stability are the benefits of herbal liposomes. Inflammatory diseases and cancer, they are very useful(14).
Nanoemulsions: Nanoemulsions, which are nanosized dispersions, enhance the solubility and absorption of lipophilic herbal substances. They increase surface area by being a smaller droplet and improve drug absorption and solubility(15).
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs): Solid lipid precursors (SLNs) are responsible for safeguarding unstable phytoconstituents and facilitating the release of medications.' NLCs enhance drug loading capacity by utilizing both liquid and solid lipids, which also prevents drug leakage. Such systems work especially well with lipophilic substances such as resveratrol and curcumin(16).
Polymeric Nanoparticles: Biodegradable polymers, including chitosan and PLGA, are utilized to generate polymeric nanoparticles. By modifying them, they can be distributed more efficiently and for an extended duration. As the drug concentration of cancer and chronic conditions can persist over time, these systems are highly beneficial for treating these diseases(17).
Vesicular Systems (Transfersomes and Ethosomes): To improve transdermal distribution, transfersomes and ethosomes are flexible vesicular carriers. Their flexible structure allows for greater penetration into the skin compared to conventional systems. This is an innovation(18).
Modern Formulation of Herbal Constituents in Different Diseases
Challenges and Limitations of Modern Herbal Formulations
Future Prospects of Modern Herbal Formulations
Modern herbal formulations are rapidly evolving from basic nano-delivery systems to more patient-specific and targeted approaches. Despite the fact that existing systems have resolved some problems, such as solubility and stability, future research is focused on improving the accuracy, safety, and clinical translation of phytoconstituents. Developing targeted delivery systems for medicines is one of the most promising paths to take. Currently, advanced nanocarriers are being developed with surface modifications such as peptides, ligands, or antibodies that can identify specific receptors on sick cells(32).These techniques are likely to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the phytoconstituents to a large extent. A new field of development is the development of stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems which release medication in response to internal or external stimuli such as pH, temperature, enzymes or redox conditions. The differences in pH and enzyme levels in tumor tissues make these methods very useful. Smart nanocarriers can enhance therapeutic efficacy via targeted and controlled drug release(33).Another important development is the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in formulation development. AI can be used to predict drug-excipient interactions, to optimize formulation parameters and to design effective delivery systems with improved performance. This accelerates the development process and reduces the amount of trial-and-error experimentation. Furthermore, green nanotechnology is becoming more popular. The technology utilizes plant extracts and eco-friendly methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles, thereby minimizing the use of toxic chemicals and enhancing the sustainability of the process(34). Green synthesis is environmentally friendly and improves the biocompatibility of the final formulation. Another important trend is the emergence of combination medicines, which include the use of several phytoconstituents in a single formulation or the co-delivery of herbal ingredients with synthetic pharmaceuticals. These systems can reduce drug resistance, improve therapeutic efficacy, and offer synergistic effects, particularly in chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. The delivery of herbal medication is also expected to be affected by developments in personalised medicine. The formulations can be tailored to the individual genetic and metabolic characteristics of a specific group of patients to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. This is still an early-stage strategy but has a lot of promise for the future(35).
CONCLUSION
Pharmaceutical research has advanced significantly with the adoption of herbal medicine from traditional practice to modern therapeutic application. The medicinal uses of herbal components are limited due to their poor solubility, low bioavailability, instability, and lack of customized delivery, despite their wide range of pharmacological activity. Modern formulation methods have been instrumental in overcoming these difficulties and unlocking the complete therapeutic value of phytoconstituents. Lipid-based carriers, vesicular systems, and nanoparticle-derived formulations are among the advanced delivery techniques that have been shown to improve absorption, stability, regulation, or site-specific drug release. These advancements are particularly relevant for the management of complex and chronic illnesses, which require consistent therapeutic doses and tailored treatment options. The investigation of herbal ingredients' medicinal properties is now being conducted more extensively to explore their potential medicinal benefits. In spite of this, there are several barriers that prevent the widespread adoption of present-day herbal remedies. Important barriers to address include variability in plant sources, a lack of uniformity, long-term safety issues, challenges encountered in large-scale manufacturing, and the absence of well-defined regulatory mechanisms. Moreover, their inclusion in standard medical practice is hindered by the absence of robust clinical evidence. The future of modern herbal formulations remains bright despite these challenges. The continued progress and enhancement of these systems are expected to be facilitated by the integration of smart and stimuli-responsive systems, targeted drug administration, green synthesis techniques, and the use of cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence.
REFERENCES
Sakshi Kumari, Sukhjeet Kaur, Prabhjot Kaur, Arsh Saini, Dr. Satnam Singh, Herbal Constituents in Modern Formulations: An Innovative Approach, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2026, Vol 4, Issue 5, 279-287. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20490976
10.5281/zenodo.20490976