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: Many plant-based bioactive compounds have been serving as the origin of drugs since long ago and many of them have been proven to have medicinal value against various chronic diseases, including, cancer, arthritis, hepatic diseases, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, their clinical applications have been limited due to their poor water solubility, stability, low bioavailability and extensive transformation due to first-pass metabolism. The applications of nanocarriers have been proven to be able to improve the delivery of bioactive phytoconstituents, resulting in the enhancement of various pharmacokinetic properties and thereby, increase the therapeutic value of phytoconstituents. These biocompatible nanocarriers also exert low toxicity to healthy cells. This review focuses on the uses and applications of different types of nanocarriers to enhance the delivery of phytoconstituents for the treatment of various chronic diseases, along with comparisons related to bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of nano phytoconstituents with native phytoconstituents.

Background: Artemisia vulgaris (A. vulgaris), a well-known Chinese traditional herb, is reported to have antibacterial properties, making it a potential agent for wound healing. In our project, we have developed A. vulgaris in silver nanoparticles to enhance its effect. This study investigated the antibacterial effects of the synthesised AgNP on common wound bacteria. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to synthesise A. vulgaris in silver nanoparticles and to investigate the anti-bacterial effect on wound bacteria. Methods: The AgNP was synthesised by the green synthesis method and characterisation tests were carried out to confirm the presence of AgNP in the formulation. The disc diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were carried out to investigate the antibacterial effects of AgNP on common wound bacteria. The AgNP was also tested on probiotics using the disc diffusion test to investigate its effect on probiotics. Results: The characterisation tests have confirmed the presence of AgNP in the formulation. The AgNP containing all plant concentrations were able to inhibit the growth of all bacteria tested but it required a higher concentration to inhibit the gram positive bacteria. The AgNP had less inhibitory effects on probiotics compared to antibiotics and silver nitrate alone. However, statistical analysis showed that the antibacterial effect of the treatment was statistically insignificant. Conclusion:The AgNP demonstrated anti-bacterial effects on both gram positive and gram negative wound bacteria, but the effect of the treatment was not statistically significant.