Nanotechnology in Enhancing Herb-Based Medicines' Bioavailability and Activity

Since time immortal herbal medicine has been a boon to mankind for mitigation and cure of many diseases. A major challenge faced by herbal medicines is their limited bioavailability as more than 70% of these are hydrophobic, due to which they are not able to reach to their utmost therapeutic potential. This problem of limited bioavailability could be solved by using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is capable of delivering the medicaments through many routes, can reduce dosages and can decrease side effects. By combining herb-based medications with nanotechnology possible problems related to poor bioavailability of herb-based phytoconstituents can be improved to a greater extent. Various nanotechnological strategies, namely polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, phytosomes, liposome, etc., are used to circumvent these problems associated with herb-based components. This book chapter will discuss elaborately the different nanotechnological strategies for the enhancement of their bioavailability along with possible challenges and future perspectives in this field.