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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Integrating natural compounds and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems: A novel strategy for enhanced efficacy
Asma Manzari-Tavakoli1, Amirhesam Babajani2, Maryam Manzari Tavakoli3
1Department of biology faculty of science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract:
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, necessitating the development of innovative and more effective treatment strategies. Conventional cancer treatments often suffer from limitations such as systemic toxicity, poor pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance. Recently, there has been growing attention to utilizing natural compounds derived from various sources as possible cancer therapeutics. Natural compounds have demonstrated diverse bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects, making them attractive candidates for cancer treatment. However, their limited solubility and bioavailability present challenges for effective delivery to cancer cells. To overcome these limitations, researchers have turned to nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles, with their small size and unique properties, can encapsulate therapeutic agents and offer benefits such as improved solubility, prolonged drug release, enhanced cellular uptake, and targeted delivery. Functionalizing nanoparticles with specific ligands further enhances their precision in recognizing and binding to cancer cells. Combining natural compounds with nanotechnology holds great promise in achieving efficient and safe cancer treatments by enhancing bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and selectivity toward cancer cells. This review article provides an overview of the advancements in utilizing natural substances and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of various types of nanoparticles, as well as the characteristics of natural compounds that make them appealing for cancer therapy. Additionally, current research on natural substances and nanoparticles in preclinical and clinical settings is highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in developing natural compound-nanoparticle-based cancer therapies are discussed.
Insights
Natural compounds show promise for cancer treatment but face delivery challenges. Nanotechnology offers solutions by enhancing the bioavailability and targeted delivery of these natural cancer therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer is a major global health concern, with conventional treatments facing limitations like toxicity and drug resistance.
- Natural compounds possess diverse anticancer properties but suffer from poor solubility and bioavailability.
- Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to overcome these delivery challenges for natural therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in using natural compounds combined with nanotechnology for cancer treatment.
- To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various nanoparticles and natural compounds in cancer therapy.
- To highlight current research and future perspectives in this interdisciplinary field.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on natural compounds and nanotechnology in cancer research.
- Analysis of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for natural therapeutic agents.
- Discussion of preclinical and clinical studies involving natural compound-nanoparticle conjugates.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles enhance solubility, prolong release, improve cellular uptake, and enable targeted delivery of natural compounds.
- Functionalized nanoparticles improve specificity for cancer cells.
- Combination therapy shows potential for enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Combining natural compounds with nanotechnology offers a promising strategy for developing more effective and safer cancer treatments.
- Further research and clinical translation are needed to fully realize the potential of these advanced therapies.
- Addressing challenges in nanoparticle design and natural compound selection is crucial for future success.
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