Phytoconstituent-derived nano-medicines/vesicles providing a promising dawn for inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Natural phytoconstituents exhibit distinct advantages in the management and prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), attributed to their robust biological activity, multi-target effects, and elevated safety profile. Although promising, the clinical application of phytoconstituents have been impeded by poor water solubility, low oral bioavailability, and inadequate colonic targeting. Recent advancements in nanotechnology has offered prospective avenues for the application of phytoconstituents in the treatment of IBD. A common strategy involves encapsulating or conjugating phytoconstituents with nanocarriers to enhance their stability, prolong intestinal retention, and facilitate targeted delivery to colonic inflammatory tissues. Furthermore, drawing inspiration from the self-assembling nanostructures that emerge during the decoction process of Chinese herbs, a variety of natural active compounds-based nanoassemblies have been developed for the treatment of IBD. They exhibit high drug-loading capacities and surmount the challenges posed by poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Notably, phyto-derived nanovesicles, owing to their unique structure and biological functions, can serve as therapeutic agents or novel delivery vehicles for the treatment of IBD. Consequently, this review provides an extensive overview of emerging phytoconstituent-derived nano-medicines/vesicles for the treatment of IBD, intending to offer novel insights for the clinical management of IBD.