Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Skin Disorders by Herbal Drugs: Traditional and Nanotechnological Approach

Abstract

Since the earliest days, people have been employing herbal treatments extensively around the world. The development of phytochemical and phytopharmacological sciences has made it possible to understand the chemical composition and biological properties of a number of medicinal plant products. Due to certain challenges like large molecular weight and low bioavailability, some components of herbal extracts are not utilized for therapeutic purposes. It has been suggested that herbal medicine and nanotechnology can be combined to enhance the benefits of plant extracts by lowering dosage requirements and adverse effects and increasing therapeutic activity. Using nanotechnology, the active ingredient can be delivered in an adequate concentration and transported to the targeted site of action. Conventional therapy does not fulfill these requirements. This review focuses on different skin diseases and nanotechnology-based herbal medicines that have been utilized to treat them.

Keywords: drug delivery system; ethosomes; herbal formulations; nanoparticles; skin; skin diseases.

Figure 1

Various types of skin diseases. Reproduced with permission from [18] Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Figure 2

Comparison between traditional and nanotechnology-based treatment [75].

Figure 3

Various nanotechnology-based delivery systems and their uses for topical dermatological therapy. Adapted with permission from ref. [82] under Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Figure 4

Macroscopy of the wound treatment at 8, 18, and 30 days with silver sulfadiazine (SDZ), DuoDerme^® (GDU), and a gelatin layer loaded with usnic acid liposomes (UAL). Adapted with permission from [117].

Figure 5

Nanoparticle-loaded cream of Chromolaena odorata for the treatment of wounds by controlling TPC (total phenolic compound) release, enhancing fibroblast migration. Adapted with permission from [121].

Figure 6

(A) Images of dorsal skin of mice after administration of Imiquimod (IMQ). (B) Staining with H&E demonstrating the changes in inner skin after the application of tacrolimus ointment, blank niosomal gel, and Celastrol gel (positive control). (C) An enlarged view of the IMQ-treated group (right) and normal (left) groups. Adapted with permission from [129].

Figure 7

Illustration depicting images of animal skin: (a) untreated; (b) standard treatment; and (c) quercetin-loaded liposome treatment. Adapted with permission from [138].