Advances of nano-targeted drug delivery systems in traditional Chinese medicine anticancer therapy

doi:10.5246/jcps.2024.04.022

Abstract

Abstract:

Cancer has now become the second leading cause of mortality, following cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a prominent alternative for combating cancer due to its potent therapeutic effects, minimal side effects, numerous targets, and its crucial role in various stages of cancer treatment. However, challenges such as poor solubility, limited permeability, rapid elimination, instability, low bioavailability, and short half-life hinder its clinical application. To overcome these limitations in the anticancer potential of TCM, recent years have seen the integration of nanotechnology in clinical TCM treatments. Nano-targeted drug delivery systems have assumed an increasingly vital role in cancer therapy by synergizing with the active components of TCM for anticancer treatments. Some TCM-based nano-drug carriers have entered clinical trials or been employed in disease diagnosis and treatment, thereby advancing the field of TCM. In light of this, this article provides an overview of the progress made in applying nano-targeted delivery systems to TCM-based anticancer therapy.

Key words: Nano-targeted drug delivery system, Traditional Chinese medicine, Cancer

Supporting:

Junchen Ge, Debing Xiang. Advances of nano-targeted drug delivery systems in traditional Chinese medicine anticancer therapy[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 33(4): 285-304.

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