Nanocarrier based Strategies to Deliver Plant- Derived Bioactive Phytoconstituents for Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review highlights the recent advances in nanocarrier-mediated delivery of plant-derived phytoconstituents for cancer treatment. Various nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and metallic nanoparticles are discussed in terms of their design, functionalization, and role in improving pharmacokinetics, stability, tumor targeting, and controlled release of phytoconstituents. The synergistic potential of co-delivery systems, surface modification strategies (e.g., PEGylation, ligand conjugation), and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are also elaborated. Furthermore, the review explores in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating enhanced anticancer efficacy, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic index of phytoconstituents via nano delivery. Key challenges in clinical translation such as large-scale manufacturing, regulatory approval, and safety profiling are addressed along with future directions. Overall, nanocarrier-based strategies represent a promising frontier for integrating phytomedicine into mainstream oncology, enabling targeted, safe, and effective cancer therapy. This review aims to provide researchers, formulators, and clinicians with a foundational understanding of the nanotechnological advancements driving the next generation of plant-based anticancer therapeutics.