Effective Cancer Management: Inimitable Role of Phytochemical Based Nano- Formulations

Abstract

Background: Global cancer statistics defines the severity of disease even after significant research worldwide. Problem: Failure of the currently available treatment approaches including surgery, radiation therapy and traditional chemotherapy. Aim: The aim of this review is to discuss the role of phytochemical based nano-formulations for treatment of cancer. Discussion: In the past few decades, phytochemicals have gained popularity for acting as a potential anticancer treatment with low systemic toxicity, especially in terms of cell cycle control and cancer cell killing. Natural resources, with their immense structural variety, serve as a vital source of fresh, therapeutically useful new chemical entities for the treatment of cancer. Vinca alkaloids (VCR), vinblastine, vindesine, vinorelbine, taxanes (PTX), podophyllotoxin and its derivatives (etoposide (ETP), teniposide, camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives (topotecan, irinotecan), anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, as natural products or their derivatives account for half of all anti-cancer drugs approved worldwide, and they have been developed utilising the knowledge learned from the natural small molecules or macromolecules. Trabectedin, an epothilone derivative, ixabepilone, and temsirolimus, three new anti-cancer medications launched in 2007 were derived from microbial origins. Current therapy regimens require selective drug targeting to enhance efficacy against cancer cells while normal cells remain unharmed. Modified medications and systems for drug delivery based on nanotechnology are in the process of being explored and launched in the industry for enhanced therapy and management of cancer, along with promising outcomes. Many obstacles related to cancer cell drug delivery can be overcome by using nano-particulate drug carriers, including enhancing the stability and solubility of the drug, prolonging half-lives of the drug in the blood, decreasing side effects to undesired organs, and increasing medication concentration at the desired site. The scientific initiatives and studies concerning the use of nanotechnology for some selective compounds derived from plants are discussed in this review article. Conclusion: The present review highlights the phytochemical-based nanoformulations and its strategies in the development of novel systems of drug delivery such as nano-liposomes, functionalized nanoparticles (NPs), and polymer nano-conjugates, SNEDDS (Self nano emulsifying drug delivery system) as this review paper depicts, as well as their rewards over conventional systems of drug delivery, as evidenced by improved biological activity depicted in their in vitro and in vivo anticancer assays.

Phytochemical-Based Nanomedicine for Targeting Tumor Microenvironment and Inhibiting Cancer Chemoresistance: Recent Advances and Pharmacological Insights

“…An extensive literature search indicated that there has been an increased trend in phytochemical-based nanoformulation research, which has been widely investigated against various cancers. ,,− From a pharmacological perspective, phytonanomedicine prevents the external degradation of bioactive molecules, simultaneously improves drug stability and physicochemical properties, and collectively enhances the anticancer efficiency of a native phytochemical . Recently, Javed et al reviewed various nanoformulations of the phytochemical apigenin that have significantly increased therapeutic efficacy and antitumor activity in a variety of malignancies by improving bioavailability over native apigenin .…”

Camptothecin-loaded supramolecular nanodelivery system based on amphiphilic calix[4]arene for targeted tumor therapy

“…In addition, the poor solubility/ stability, nontargeting capability, and uncontrollable release of CPT also hinder its anticancer efficacy, and it even causes side effects in normal tissues. [9][10][11][12][13][14] In the past decades, researchers have investigated numerous methods and materials for chemotherapeutic drug delivery, which have given rise to optimism for the effective treatment of cancer. Advances in recent research have demonstrated that liposomes and cyclodextrins can be used for the delivery of CPT to reduce its toxicity and promote its properties.…”

“…Advances in recent research have demonstrated that liposomes and cyclodextrins can be used for the delivery of CPT to reduce its toxicity and promote its properties. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] However, most of these carriers do not meet the requirements of a high drug-delivery efficiency, ease of dispersion, and controlled particle size, which are key to clinical translation. 24,25 Calixarene (CA), a crucial component of supramolecular families, is a supramolecular macrocyclic compound made of phenol units connected by methylene bridges, with an easy chemical modification of the upper and lower edges of the phenol units, an adjustable size, and conformation of the hydrophobic cavities in the structure.…”

“…In addition, the poor solubility/stability, nontargeting capability, and uncontrollable release of CPT also hinder its anticancer efficacy, and it even causes side effects in normal tissues. 9–14…”

“…Advances in recent research have demonstrated that liposomes and cyclodextrins can be used for the delivery of CPT to reduce its toxicity and promote its properties. 15–23 However, most of these carriers do not meet the requirements of a high drug-delivery efficiency, ease of dispersion, and controlled particle size, which are key to clinical translation. 24,25…”