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Review
. 2024 Jul 26;29(15):3520.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29153520.

Advanced Application of Polymer Nanocarriers in Delivery of Active Ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicines

Zhiyuan Zhai  1 , Jianda Niu  1 , Liguo Xu  2 , Jinbao Xu  1
Affiliations
Review

Advanced Application of Polymer Nanocarriers in Delivery of Active Ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicines

Zhiyuan Zhai et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Active ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have been a cornerstone of healthcare for millennia, offering a rich source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. However, the clinical application of TCMs is often limited by challenges such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and variable pharmacokinetics. To address these issues, the development of advanced polymer nanocarriers has emerged as a promising strategy for the delivery of TCMs. This review focuses on the introduction of common active ingredients from TCMs and the recent advancements in the design and application of polymer nanocarriers for enhancing the efficacy and safety of TCMs. We begin by discussing the unique properties of TCMs and the inherent challenges associated with their delivery. We then delve into the types of polymeric nanocarriers, including polymer micelles, polymer vesicles, polymer hydrogels, and polymer drug conjugates, highlighting their application in the delivery of active ingredients from TCMs. The main body of the review presents a comprehensive analysis of the state-of-the-art nanocarrier systems and introduces the impact of these nanocarriers on the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of TCM components. On the basis of this, we provide an outlook on the future directions of polymer nanocarriers in TCM delivery. This review underscores the transformative potential of polymer nanocarriers in revolutionizing TCM delivery, offering a pathway to harness the full therapeutic potential of TCMs while ensuring safety and efficacy in a modern medical context.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicines; drug delivery; polymer drug conjugates; polymer hydrogels; polymer micelles; polymer vesicles.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of active ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of polymer nanocarriers in the delivery of active ingredients from TCMs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic illustration of the formation and application of polymer micelles [92]. Reproduced with permission from reference [92].
Figure 4
Figure 4
The structure of biotin-decorated amphiphilic block copolymer and its application in the delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs of Paclitaxel [96]. Reproduced with permission from reference [96].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Illustration of the structure of the chitosan/liposome hybrid system in the delivery of quercetin [115]. Reproduced with permission from reference [115].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic illustration of the forming process, intestinal mucus adhesion, and penetration mechanisms of PTX-loaded CS-TGA-PF liposomes [116]. Reproduced with permission from reference [116].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Schematic illustration of drug delivery hydrogel formation and its application in intranasal administration as an antidepressant [126]. Reproduced with permission from reference [126].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Illustration of the application of polymer–drug conjugates [138]. Reproduced with permission from reference [138].
Figure 9
Figure 9
(a). FDINs’ preparation. (b). FDIN-mediated tumor mechanical microenvironment modulation for enhanced cancer stem cell elimination and antitumor efficacy [147]. Reproduced with permission from reference [147].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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