Unravelling the Recent Trends in Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Potential of Emodin

Emodin is an anthraquinone glycoside primarily found in Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, and rhubarb (Rheum species). Emodin is widely recognized for extensive pharmacological applications, encompassing antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-osteoporotic, anti-arthritic, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. It is of considerable importance in alzheimer's disease, asthma, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and osteoporosis. Although emodin offers potential therapeutic advantages, its clinical use is hindered by its low solubility, instability, limited bioavailability, and susceptibility to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The nanotechnological modification of emodin showed promise for enhancing solubility, reducing degradation rates, minimizing toxicity, and altering the absorption and biological responses of plant-derived bioactive compounds. This review article offers a comprehensive analysis of the pharmacological applications and nanotechnology-based formulations of emodin, encompassing liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, microspheres, micelles, carbon nanotubes, nano-emulsions, magnetic nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles, which have attracted considerable interest in recent decades.