Purpose: To determine the knowledge and attitude of patients on the usage of herbal medicines in Udupi Region of Karnataka State, India. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out over a period of six months, and involving a structured and validated questionnaire. It was conducted among patients who visited hospitals in and around the Udupi region of Karnataka, India. Results: About 37 % of the respondents of the study used a combination of allopathy and herbal medicines. The results further showed that 29.8 % of respondents used allopathy, while 24.5 % were on herbal medicines. Of the total herbal medicine users, 34.07 % of the respondents stated that the reason for using herbal medicines was their perception that herbal medicines had more efficacy and comparatively lower side effects. A majority of the respondents, i.e., 64.6 %, lacked knowledge on dose, duration of therapy, side effects and interactions of the drugs. Out of 226 respondents who used herbal medicine, only 65 (28.76 %) could identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Among these 65 patients who could identify ADRs, only 16 (24.62 %) informed the physician about it, while the remaining 49 (75.38 %) patients did not inform the physician about it. Conclusion: The results indicate a need to conduct educational and awareness programs by AYUSH, The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy on herbal medicines and adverse drug reactions in order to minimize untoward effects caused by herbal medicines.

Herbal medicines have been used by mankind from time immemorial. Moreover, many modern medicines are originated from plant sources. In earlier days, patients were dependent on herbs for treatment and well-being. However, due to the advent of the industrial revolution and modern science, the scenario of treating diseases has changed over a period of time. Majority of patients started preferring allopathy medicines due to their several advantages over herbal medicines. However, due to long term treatment by allopathic medicines for chronic diseases led to side effects, patients are now drifting back to the traditional medicines. Herbal medicines have their own drawbacks, viz., lack of safety and efficacy data, standardization difficulties, not well established legislative controls and a few issues with adverse drug reactions. Drug regulations per se were always the prime focus and they are said to be dynamic. There are a few differences in regulations of herbal drugs among various countries. Regulatory authorities of countries are working to evolve the regulations to govern herbal medicines more effectively. A brief overview of the regulations related to a few developing and developed countries have been dealt here.

Nanotechnology is an innovative area of science that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers. The influence of nanotechnology in the cosmetic industry is overwhelming since it can enhance the properties attained by the particles at the nano level which includes color, solubility, etc, and also promotes the bioavailability of API. A plethora of nanomaterials can be employed in cosmetics including organic and inorganic nanoparticles. Unlike orthodox carriers, they facilitate easy penetration of the product into the skin and thereby increasing the stability and allowing a controlled drug release so that they can permeate deeper into the skin and start revitalizing it. Nanomaterials rejuvenate the skin by forming an occlusive barrier to inhibit the loss of water from the skin’s surface and thereby moisturize the skin. Nano-cosmeceuticals are used to provide better protection against UV radiation, facilitate deeper skin penetration, and give long-lasting effects. Although they still have some safety concerns, hence detailed characterization or risk assessments are required to fulfill the standard safety requirements. In this review, an attempt is made to make a brief overview of various nanocosmeceutical skincare and anti-aging products.

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