For many centuries, herbal medications have been widely explored and
utilized in almost all regions of the world. The progression in plant-based chemical and
pharmacological sciences has provided a detailed explanation of many plant-based
medications. Nanomedicine and other similar nano delivery systems are a comparatively
novel but rapidly developing science, where materials in the range of nanoscale are
utilized to serve as means of diagnostic tools or to deliver medicinal agents to predetermined targeted sites in a guided manner. Site-directed and tissue- targeted delivery
of specific medications is among the different advantages offered by nanotechnology for
treating numerous human ailments.
Recently, scientists have developed numerous outstanding uses of nanomedicine,
involving immunotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic agents, and other biological
agents for the treatment of different ailments. World Health Organization (WHO) has
categorized herbal drugs into the following three types: crude plant materials, prepared
plant materials, and therapeutic herbal items. In India, herbal prescriptions are managed
by the Service of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy
(AYUSH). Regulatory provisions associated with Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha medications
are mentioned in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules 1945. Herbal drug items differ
from country to country, including food sources, dietary supplements, and conventional
prescriptions. To recognize lately introduced revisions in regulations, a comprehensive
literature review for regulations of herbal-based drug products in India and Europe
was carried out. Different advisory groups, including the Committee on Herbal
Medicinal Products (HMPC) and the board of trustees of the European Medicines
Agency (EMA), have created rules for evaluating quality and pre-clinical and clinical
efficacy and safety of drugs. Drug and cosmetic acts and rules have been altered as of
late to manage the safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal drug items in India. In this
chapter, we have summed up all the central issues and progress made by scientists in the field of herbal nanomedicine , including quality control of nano-particles,
herbal drug regulations and restrictions, and difficulties observed in the formation of
herbal medication.
Keywords: AYUSH, Drug delivery, Drug targeting, Nanomaterials, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology, Natural products, Quality control, Regulation.
