Phytochemical–Mechanistic Integration and Nano‐Enabled Strategies in Herbal Dermatology: Toward Targeted and Translational Therapeutics

ABSTRACT Traditional medicinal plants such as Aloe vera , Curcuma longa , Azadirachta indica , Camellia sinensis , Centella asiatica , and Glycyrrhiza glabra have long been used in dermatology for their anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound‐healing properties. However, variability in phytochemical composition and limited clinical validation have restricted their integration into mainstream practice. This review adopts a focused and analytical approach by linking key phytochemicals to molecular mechanisms and dermatological outcomes. Compounds such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), asiaticoside, and glycyrrhizin are examined in relation to pathways including NF‐κB signaling, oxidative stress modulation, and collagen synthesis, providing a mechanistic basis for their therapeutic effects. The role of nanotechnology, particularly silver nanoparticle (AgNP)‐based systems, is evaluated in terms of formulation strategies and performance outcomes. Nano‐enabled formulations are shown to enhance stability, skin penetration, and sustained release of bioactive compounds, thereby improving antimicrobial efficacy and therapeutic performance. These advantages are balanced against key limitations, including cytotoxicity, variability in nanoparticle characteristics, environmental concerns, and limited long‐term clinical evidence. The principal novelty of this review is the systematic integration of phytochemical specificity with molecular pathway analysis, enabling a mechanistic understanding of how herbal bioactives exert dermatological effects and how these effects may be enhanced through nano‐enabled delivery systems.