Importance of Medicinal Plants in Traditional and Modern Medicine: Implications for Human Health (Published)
Medicinal plants have long served as a cornerstone of healthcare, providing a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Growing interest in plant-derived therapeutics, coupled with rapid technological advancements, has transformed medicinal plant research into a multidisciplinary field that integrates traditional knowledge with cutting-edge scientific approaches. This review examines recent progress in the discovery, characterization, and development of bioactive phytochemicals and explores their expanding role in promoting human health. The review highlights the contribution of emerging technologies, including multi-omics platforms (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and spatial omics), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and nanotechnology, to accelerating natural product research and phytopharmaceutical innovation. These approaches have enhanced the identification of novel bioactive compounds, elucidated biosynthetic pathways and molecular mechanisms of action, optimized cultivation and extraction processes, and improved the precision and efficiency of drug discovery. In addition, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have demonstrated considerable potential to enhance the stability, bioavailability, targeted delivery, and therapeutic efficacy of plant-derived compounds, particularly in the treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. Despite these advances, several challenges continue to limit the translation of medicinal plants into evidence-based therapeutics, including biodiversity loss, variability in phytochemical composition, contamination and adulteration of herbal products, and the need for standardized quality control and harmonized regulatory frameworks. Future progress will depend on multidisciplinary collaboration that integrates traditional medicinal knowledge with advanced analytical technologies, computational tools, and sustainable resource management. Such an approach will facilitate the development of safe, effective, and innovative phytopharmaceuticals while supporting precision medicine and improving global health outcomes.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Biodiversity, Nanotechnology, bioactive compounds, drug delivery systems, medicinal plants, phytochemicals, phytopharmaceuticals, precision medicine
Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Nanotechnology-Based Semisolid Formulations for Topical Antioxidant Delivery: A Review (Published)
The skin is continuously exposed to oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet radiation, environmental pollutants, and endogenous metabolic processes, leading to premature aging and various dermatological disorders. Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, along with plant-derived polyphenolic extracts, play a crucial role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining skin homeostasis (Poljšak et al., 2013; Pullar, Carr, & Vissers, 2021). However, their effective topical delivery remains challenging due to instability, limited solubility, and poor skin penetration in conventional semisolid formulations. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative delivery systems capable of overcoming these limitations (Mukherjee et al., 2021; Patel et al., 2013). This article presents a comparative analysis of conventional and nanotechnology-based semisolid formulations for topical antioxidant delivery, focusing on physicochemical properties, stability, antioxidant activity, and skin permeation performance. The findings provide evidence-based guidance for optimizing topical antioxidant formulations in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Nanotechnology, semisolid formulations, skin delivery, stability