Phytofabrication of Nanoparticles as Novel Drugs for Anticancer Applications

Abstract

Cancer is one of the foremost causes of death globally and also the major stumbling block of increasing life expectancy. Although the primary treatment of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have greatly reduced the mortality of cancer, the survival rate is still low because of the metastasis of tumor, a range of adverse drug reactions, and drug resistance. For all this, it is relevant to mention that a growing amount of research has shown the anticarcinogenic effect of phytochemicals which can modulate the molecular pathways and cellular events include apoptosis, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, their pharmacological potential is hindered by their low water solubility, low stability, poor absorption, and rapid metabolism. In this scenario, the development of nanotechnology has created novel formulations to maximize the potential use of phytochemicals in anticancer treatment. Nanocarriers can enhance the solubility and stability of phytochemicals, prolong their half-life in blood and even achieve site-targeting delivery. This review summarizes the advances in utilizing nanoparticles in cancer therapy. In particular, we introduce several applications of nanoparticles combined with apigenin, resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, 6-gingerol, and quercetin in cancer treatment.

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology with Nano-Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Cancer Progression

“…Hence, for the clinical translation of nano-phytochemicals, it is crucial to design EPR-potentiating combination therapy, evaluate the extent of the EPR effect, and utilize ultrasound, radiation, hyperthermia, and photodynamic therapy as a physical targeting strategy to achieve an efficient EPR effect in EPR-insensitive tumors before and during clinical trials [ 105 ]. Additionally, the reliability and reproducibility of NP–phytochemical encapsulations should be ensured, and their possible toxicity, suitable administration routes (oral, intravenous, transdermal), and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles should be determined in many preclinical and randomized clinical trials because some phytochemicals can have adverse side effects [ 200 ], though they are known to generally be less toxic compared to synthetic anticancer drugs [ 201 ]. Furthermore, further study is required to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of nanodrugs within the tumor environment for active drug delivery; prolong the circulation time; and explore the RES evasion, sensitive drug release, and targeted co-delivery of different compounds [ 202 ].…”

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in the Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer

“…A considerable solution is to encapsulate the polyphenols in various systems such as nanoparticles. Accordingly, the polyphenols can be protected from the destructive action of external media and be carried in an improved delivery system that can optimize and maximize their performance by modifying their composition, morphology, and size by reducing the side effects and overcoming drug resistance [171]. Therefore, the use of nanosized phytochemicals is desired because they have high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and stability in the biological environment, and also enhance drug specificity, improve absorption rates, and reduce drug degradation and systemic toxicity [74].…”

The Evaluation of Drug Delivery Nanocarrier Development and Pharmacological Briefing for Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): An Update

“…Other currently emerging approaches to MAFLD therapy include developing new targeting drugs that are already under phase 2 and phase 3 trials [ 72 ], or improving the safety and physicochemical properties of conventional drugs and herbal medicines, as well as physical, chemical, and physiological stability, along with liver-targeting properties using a wide range of nanoformulation techniques [ 73 ], as illustrated in Figure 1 . The United States National Nanotechnology Initiative described nanotechnology as science, engineering, and nanoscale technology, approximately 1 to 100 nanometers (nm) [ 74 ], however, several formulations were reported under the nanosystem umbrella for the merit of providing a particle size scale below 1000 nm.…”