expert corner
Emergence of nano herbal drugs
The nanoscientist turned entrepreneur, Dr Vijay Kanuru tells us about the importance of nanoscience approaches to proprietary ayurvedic formulations and translating his research on nanoparticles of herbal extracts into a successful business of nanoherbal drugs
Despite their tremendous therapeutic potential, poor bioavailability, metabolic instability and aqueous insolubility impeding herbal drug’ s commercialization potential as main stream medicine. The development of nanoherbal composites and nano drug delivery systems are indispensable to overcome various constraints of traditional herbal dosage forms like poor bioavailability, in vivo stability, aqueous insolubility, intestinal absorption and unspecific site of action. Nanotisation enhances the surface area of the herbal drugs, which allows quicker dissolution in the blood with enhanced retention time and also helps in crossing blood-brain barrier. According to the BCC Research report, the market value of the worldwide nanomedicine industry was estimated as US $ 96.9 billion by the year 2016.
Since ancient days, plant derived natural products have been used for the treatment of human diseases. The basis of modern medicine still being inspired from traditional medicine and therapies. Ayurveda is one of the ancient form of medicinal system
22 BioVoiceNews | February 2017