**10. Enhanced activity**

Encapsulation of active compounds into nanocarriers improves their activity. This might be attributed to several factors such as enhanced solubility, better stability for both *in vivo* and *in vitro*, and better formulation. However, the better penetration of the introduced nano systems through cellular membrane via unique interaction mechanism is an additional factor that participate in enhancing the bioactivity of drugs encapsulated in nanocarriers. For example, *Origanum dictamnus* extracts are known to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties due to the presence of considerable concentrations of pehnolic compounds like flavones and cumarines. Research showed that encapsulating this extract into liposomes improved its activity [71].

such nanoparticles suitable for oral delivery of bioactive compounds and deliver them beyond

Nanoflora — How Nanotechnology Enhanced the Use of Active Phytochemicals

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58704

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Nanotechnology is one of the most powerful tools in the modern life, as it has made a revo‐ lutionary impact in every aspect of human life. The speed by which nanomedicine has advanced-particularly through the utilization of the various types of nanoparticles in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many complex diseases like cancer-is fascinating. The world is starting to witness the benefits of the application of nanotechnology in the field of herbal/natural products' drug delivery. One such benefit is Abraxane®. This drug is consid‐ ered as a major success story of the nanomedicine approach to treat cancer [3]. Abraxane, an approved FDA drug, is a solvent free nano-version of the natural alkaloid, Taxol. Abraxane is both more effective and less toxic and has been successful in addressing the solubility problem associated with Paclitaxel (Taxol). Other examples of successful stories in the field of herbal drug delivery are the two companies Cosmetochem and Indena. Cosmetochem launched Herbasec® technology in the market. This product consists basically of liposomal encapsulat‐ ed, standardized botanical extracts that are used in cosmetics for their antioxidant effects for the prevention of aging. Examples also include liposomal preparations of various herbal constituents like extracts of White tea, Green tea, white hibiscus, Gurana and *Aloe vera*. Indena commercializes the plant constituents/extracts of liquorice (18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid), *Ammi visnaga* (visnadin), *Centella asiatica* (triterpenes), *Ginkgo biloba* (ginkgoflavonglucosides, ginkgolides, bilobalide), Hawthorn flower (vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside), milk thistle (silymarin and Silybin), horse chestnut (escin ß-sitosterol), *Terminalia sericea* (sericoside), *Panax ginseng* (ginsenosides), grape seed (polyphenols) and Green tea (polyphenols) [75]. Moreover, a long list of recent patents on controlled release novel herbal formulations is becoming even longer [76] proving that nanotechnology for drug delivery is becoming the future of phytochemicals and opening the era for re-exploring and investigation the full potential power of traditional herbal medicine represented either by the herbal extracts and/or their pure isolated phyto‐

The application of nanotechnology to drug delivery has already had a significant impact on many areas of medicine. Currently, more than 20 nanoparticle therapeutics are in clinical use, validating the ability of nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic index of drugs. In addition to the already approved nanoparticles, numerous other nanoparticle platforms are currently under various stages of preclinical and clinical development, including various liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, and ceramic nanoparticles. More complex systems such as multifunctional nanoparticles that are concurrently capable of

targeting, imaging, and therapy are the subjects of future researches.

the acidic stomach environment [74].

**13. Success stories**

chemicals.

**14. Conclusions**
