Smart Targeted Delivery Systems for Enhancing Antitumor Therapy of Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

As a therapeutic tool inherited for thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits superiority in tumor therapy. The antitumor active components of TCM not only have multi-target treatment modes but can also synergistically interfere with tumor growth compared to traditional chemotherapeutics. However, most antitumor active components of TCM have the characteristics of poor solubility, high toxicity, and side effects, which are often limited in clinical application. In recent years, delivering the antitumor active components of TCM by nanosystems has been a promising field. The advantages of nano-delivery systems include improved water solubility, targeting efficiency, enhanced stability in vivo, and controlled release drugs, which can achieve higher drug-delivery efficiency and bioavailability. According to the method of drug loading on nanocarriers, nano-delivery systems can be categorized into two types, including physically encapsulated nanoplatforms and chemically coupled drug-delivery platforms. In this review, two nano-delivery approaches are considered, namely physical encapsulation and chemical coupling, both commonly used to deliver antitumor active components of TCM, and we summarized the advantages and limitations of different types of nano-delivery systems. Meanwhile, the clinical applications and potential toxicity of nano-delivery systems and the future development and challenges of these nano-delivery systems are also discussed, aiming to lay the foundation for the development and practical application of nano-delivery systems of TCM in clinical settings.

Formulation, development and evaluation of hyaluronic acid-conjugated liposomal nanoparticles loaded with regorafenib and curcumin and their in vitro evaluation on colorectal cancer cell lines

“…These results are in line with the CQAs of liposomal formulas to reduce the loss mentioned in the literature ( Barbălată et al, 2021 ), indicating that the EE value should be above 50 %. Furthermore, a higher % EE can reduce the amount of drug leaked from the actively targeted liposome, which in turn reduces side effects resulting from the high amount of free drug in the bloodstream, which also ensures that most of the drug will reach the targeted tumor ( Barbălată et al, 2021 , Kang et al, 2023 ). In addition to the possibility of using this system as a depot to allow long blood circulation of the liposomal formula, which is also ensured by the negative ZP presented previously ( Ravar et al, 2016 ).…”

Advances on Delivery System of Active Ingredients of Dried Toad Skin and Toad Venom

“… 21 At the same time, the tumor microenvironment (TME) and certain nanocarriers facilitate drug targeting through endogenous factors or exogenous responses triggered by physical or chemical stimuli, making drug delivery more controlled and accurate. 22 , 23 Increasingly, researchers are combining TDDS with TS/TV to address issues like poor solubility, short systemic circulation, significant side effects, and inadequate targeting, providing new insights and enhancing therapeutic efficacy, thereby opening new opportunities.…”

Research Progress on the Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Natural Anti-Tumor Components of Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Chemotherapy Drugs

“…While the Chinese herbal medicines can directly or indirectly affect tumor cells, the therapeutic efficacy of using them alone seems limited [6]. Most of the anti-tumor active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine have the characteristics of poor solubility and significant toxic side effects, which are often limited in clinical application [7].…”