Nanodelivery of Bioactive Natural Products: A Targeted Therapeutic Breakthrough for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS), as a major pathogenic factor of cardiovascular diseases, remains a global health challenge due to its multifactorial nature and recalcitrant therapeutic limitations. The inherent multitarget activity of bioactive natural products (BNPs) positions them as ideal complements to conventional therapeutics. While effective in symptom management, BNPs often falter due to two critical drawbacks: insufficient targeting and poor bioavailability. Recent nanoparticle drug delivery systems (NDDSs) offer a transformative solution. This article systematically reviews the research progress on the combination of BNPs such as phenols, terpenes, and alkaloids with NDDS for the treatment of AS. By optimizing pharmacokinetic properties and targeting efficiency, NDDSs effectively address the clinical limitations of BNPs in AS treatment, including low bioavailability and poor solubility. The study analyzes various NDDS design strategies and their mechanisms in intervening AS pathological processes, such as improving drug stability, enhancing targeting, and controlled release. Additionally, it explores natural compounds with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cell transformation-regulating, and lipid metabolism-modulating effects, offering innovative approaches for AS clinical therapy.