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Nanotechnology: A Potential Tool in Exploring Herbal Benefits

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Functional Bionanomaterials

Part of the book series: Nanotechnology in the Life Sciences ((NALIS))

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a novel approach that involves materials and equipment with manipulative abilities on the physical and chemical properties of a substance at molecular levels. The nanoparticles, so-called “mesoporous,” introduce the gene and activate it in a precise and controlled manner without any toxic aftereffects. Polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, proliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and microemulsions are the precise nanoparticulate formulations which have a potential to deliver herbal medicines effectively. Herbal medicines have been widely used all over the world since prehistoric times and have been recognized by physicians for their better therapeutic value for having fewer adverse effects compared with modern medicines. The effectiveness of many species of medicinal plants depends on the supply of bioactive secondary metabolites. Most of these constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly soluble in water but have low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, with bigger molecular size, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. To characterize the nanoparticles with a view to determine the physical and chemical toxicity profiles, several research studies are on their way to focus and explain the mechanism rationally aided with advanced technologies. Nanosized drug delivery systems of herbal drugs have a potential future for enhancing the activity and overcoming problems associated with plant medicines. The present chapter highlights several areas of this amazing world and focuses on the aspects of a promising fusion of nanotechnology and herbal wonders, converging into a futuristic wisdom.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Agricultural University), Nadia, West Bengal, India

    Suddhasuchi Das & Amit Baran Sharangi

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  1. Suddhasuchi Das
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  2. Amit Baran Sharangi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Devarajan Thangadurai

  2. Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India

    Jeyabalan Sangeetha

  3. Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India

    Ram Prasad

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Das, S., Sharangi, A.B. (2020). Nanotechnology: A Potential Tool in Exploring Herbal Benefits. In: Thangadurai, D., Sangeetha, J., Prasad, R. (eds) Functional Bionanomaterials. Nanotechnology in the Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41464-1_2

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