Herbal nanoformulations and transdermal patches: a comprehensive review on advanced phytopharmaceutical delivery systems
Abstract
Herbal medicines are widely recognized for their therapeutic benefits; however, limitations such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid degradation restrict their clinical efficacy. Recent advancements in nanoformulation and transdermal delivery systems have provided solutions to overcome these limitations. Herbal nanoformulations enhance solubility, stability, and targeted delivery, while herbal transdermal patches offer non-invasive administration, bypassing first-pass metabolism and maintaining steady plasma concentrations. The combination of nanotechnology with transdermal patches further improves bioavailability, skin permeation, and therapeutic efficiency. This review summarizes the definition, preparation methods, key aspects, advantages, challenges, and recent marketed products of herbal nanoformulations, herbal transdermal patches, and nano-enhanced transdermal patches. Tables include examples of marketed products with composition, manufacturer, country, particle size, and encapsulation efficiency, providing an updated overview for researchers and clinicians.
Keywords:
Herbal medicine, Nanoformulations, Transdermal patches, Nanocarriers, Phytoconstituents, Bioavailability, Drug delivery
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References
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21. Aqil F, et al. Boswellic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced oral bioavailability. Nanomedicine. 2016;12(20):2407–15.
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29. Higashi Y, et al. Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: a randomized double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled multicenter trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010;39(2):297-303. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.06.010.
30. Sukumaran A, et al. Comparison of perception of pain following orthodontic extraction with oral analgesics over adjuvant herbal patch. J Global Oral Health. 2020;3(2):85-90. Available from: https://jglobaloralhealth.org/comparison-of-perception-of-pain-following-orthodontic-extraction-with-oral-analgesics-over-adjuvant-herbal-patch/
31. Unexo Life Sciences. Viopatch Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.unexolifesciences.com/viopatch-pain-relief-patches.php
32. Essentium. Restopatch Herbal Transdermal Patch. Available from: https://www.essentium.com/restopatch-herbal-transdermal-patch
33. Mary’s Medicinals. Transdermal Patch – Relax THC Indica. Available from: https://marysmedicinals.com/product/transdermal-patch-thc-indica/
34. Gangwal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.gangwalhealthcare.com/herbal-pain-relief-patch/
35. Ishancare. Shoulder Patches. Available from: https://www.ishancare.com/shoulder-patches
36. Yakou. Tibetan Herbs Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.yakou.com/tibetan-herbs-pain-relief-patch
37. The Good Patch. Rescue Patch. Available from: https://www.thegoodpatch.com/rescue-patch
38. Naosucura. Slim Patch Formula. Available from: https://www.naosucura.com/slim-patch-formula
39. Alkilani AZ, et al. Preparation and characterization of patch loaded with CLR-loaded niosomalnanovesicles for transdermal delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15081962.
40. ZaidAlkilani A, et al. Development and evaluation of an innovative approach for transdermal delivery using liposomal encapsulation. MDPI Polymers. 2023;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/polym15081962.
41. Kang Y, et al. Nanocarrier-based transdermal drug delivery systems for dermatological therapy. Pharmaceutics. 2024;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15081962.
42. Mehta M, et al. Lipid nanoparticles: An effective tool to improve the dermal delivery of active compounds. ACS Materials Au. 2023;3(1):1-15. doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.3c00032.
43. Ashfaq R, et al. Nanocarrier and herbal-based transdermal patch: An advantage over other drug delivery systems. ResearchGate. 2025. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361523629_Nanocarrier_and_Herbal_Based_Transdermal_Patch_An_Advantage_Over_Other_Drug_Delivery_Systems.
44. Gangwal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://gangwalhealthcare.com/herbal-pain-relief-patch/.
45. Ishancare. Shoulder Patches. Available from: https://www.amazon.com/iShanCare-Shoulder-Pain-Relief-Patch/dp/B0BKL1GN9R.
46. Yakou. Tibetan Herbs Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://classicderma.com/products/yakou-tibetian-herbs-pain-relief-transdermal-health-care-patch-2-each.
47. The Good Patch. Rescue Patch. Available from: https://www.thegoodpatch.com/rescue-patch.
48. Naosucura. Slim Patch Formula. Available from: https://www.naosucura.com/slim-patch-formula.
2. Teja PK, Lankapalli SR, Chandra A. Herbal nanomedicines: Recent advancements, challenges, and future perspectives. J Nat Prod. 2022;85(4):664–79.
3. Kharat M, Zhang G, McClements DJ. Stability of curcumin in oil-in-water emulsions: Impact of emulsifier type and concentration on chemical degradation. Food Res Int. 2020;132:109052.
4. Liu W, Ye A, Han F, Han J, Singh H. Advances and challenges in lipid-based delivery of bioactive compounds using microemulsions: Evidence from curcumin and resveratrol. Food Hydrocoll. 2021;117:106750.
5. Naseri N, Valizadeh H, Zakeri-Milani P. Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: Structure, preparation and application. Adv Pharm Bull. 2015;5(3):305–13.
6. Alhakamy NA, Caruso G, Privitera A, Ahmed OAA. Polymeric nanoparticles for delivery of herbal bioactives: Recent advances and future outlook. Molecules. 2021;26(17):5169.
7. Gupta AP, Pathak A, Pandey P. Challenges and future of nanotechnology in global herbal medicine practices. In: Herbal Medicine Phytochemistry. Springer; 2024. p. 1–27.
8. Sahoo SK, Labhasetwar V. Nanotech approaches to drug delivery and imaging. Drug Discov Today. 2020;25(9):1627–36.
9. Cheng YC, Tsai TH. Transdermal delivery systems of natural products applied in pain management. Molecules. 2020;25(24):5893.
10. Pulipati S, Arshad F, Sharma P, Venkatesh A. Exploring the insights and innovations of herbal transdermal patches: A comprehensive review. IOSR J Dent Med Sci. 2025;24(3):64–75.
11. Keleb EI, Verma RK, Joshi G, Amin S. Design and evaluation of matrix-type transdermal patches of diclofenac sodium and salicylic acid. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2021;22(7):245.
12. Khan SU, Anwer MK, Ahmad M, Panda BP, Al-Dhubiab BE. Nanotherapeutic approaches for transdermal drug delivery: Challenges and opportunities. J Control Release. 2024;328:1–14.
13. Alkilani AZ, McCrudden MT, Donnelly RF. Beneath the skin: A review of current trends and future directions in transdermal drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(11):2325.
14. Ventola CL. Progress in nanomedicine: Approved and investigational nanodrugs. P T. 2017;42(12):742–55.
15. Zhang Y, Zhang L, Chen L, Li W. Regulatory aspects of herbal nanomedicine: Challenges and future perspectives. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;304:116013.
16. Cuomo J, et al. Comparative absorption of a standardized curcuminoid mixture and its lecithin formulation. J Nat Prod. 2011;74(4):664–9.
17. Yanyu X, et al. Preparation of silymarinnanoemulsion and its pharmacokinetics in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2006;58(5):657–61.
18. Meng H, et al. Quercetin-loaded polymeric micelles and liposomes: comparison of bioavailability and antioxidant efficacy. Int J Pharm. 2012;431(1–2):50–6.
19. Majeed M, et al. Enhancing the bioavailability of resveratrol by micellar technology. Phytother Res. 2019;33(9):2513–21.
20. Gao Y, et al. Encapsulation of green tea catechins into biodegradable nanoparticles for enhanced stability and bioactivity. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(35):8755–62.
21. Aqil F, et al. Boswellic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced oral bioavailability. Nanomedicine. 2016;12(20):2407–15.
22. Jithan AV, et al. Development and evaluation of ashwagandhaniosomes for enhanced oral bioavailability. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2012;13(1):344–52.
23. Pooja D, et al. Piperine-loaded nanosuspensions for improved oral delivery. Drug DevInd Pharm. 2016;42(5):806–14.
24. Awasthi R, et al. Formulation and evaluation of amlananoemulsion for skin delivery. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2018;40(6):577–85.
25. Stott C, et al. Single-dose pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of a novel CBD formulation. Eur J ClinPharmacol. 2013;69(9):1135–41.
26. Inventia Healthcare Ltd. NanoCurc™ Oral Spray product monograph. Mumbai: Inventia; 2021.
27. Anand P, et al. Bioavailability of curcuminnanocrystals: pharmacokinetic evaluation in humans. Mol Pharm. 2010;7(2):407–17.
28. Li L, et al. Self-assembled curcuminnanomicelles improve solubility and bioavailability. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2020;190:110921.
29. Higashi Y, et al. Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: a randomized double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled multicenter trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010;39(2):297-303. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.06.010.
30. Sukumaran A, et al. Comparison of perception of pain following orthodontic extraction with oral analgesics over adjuvant herbal patch. J Global Oral Health. 2020;3(2):85-90. Available from: https://jglobaloralhealth.org/comparison-of-perception-of-pain-following-orthodontic-extraction-with-oral-analgesics-over-adjuvant-herbal-patch/
31. Unexo Life Sciences. Viopatch Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.unexolifesciences.com/viopatch-pain-relief-patches.php
32. Essentium. Restopatch Herbal Transdermal Patch. Available from: https://www.essentium.com/restopatch-herbal-transdermal-patch
33. Mary’s Medicinals. Transdermal Patch – Relax THC Indica. Available from: https://marysmedicinals.com/product/transdermal-patch-thc-indica/
34. Gangwal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.gangwalhealthcare.com/herbal-pain-relief-patch/
35. Ishancare. Shoulder Patches. Available from: https://www.ishancare.com/shoulder-patches
36. Yakou. Tibetan Herbs Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://www.yakou.com/tibetan-herbs-pain-relief-patch
37. The Good Patch. Rescue Patch. Available from: https://www.thegoodpatch.com/rescue-patch
38. Naosucura. Slim Patch Formula. Available from: https://www.naosucura.com/slim-patch-formula
39. Alkilani AZ, et al. Preparation and characterization of patch loaded with CLR-loaded niosomalnanovesicles for transdermal delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15081962.
40. ZaidAlkilani A, et al. Development and evaluation of an innovative approach for transdermal delivery using liposomal encapsulation. MDPI Polymers. 2023;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/polym15081962.
41. Kang Y, et al. Nanocarrier-based transdermal drug delivery systems for dermatological therapy. Pharmaceutics. 2024;15(8):1962. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15081962.
42. Mehta M, et al. Lipid nanoparticles: An effective tool to improve the dermal delivery of active compounds. ACS Materials Au. 2023;3(1):1-15. doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.3c00032.
43. Ashfaq R, et al. Nanocarrier and herbal-based transdermal patch: An advantage over other drug delivery systems. ResearchGate. 2025. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361523629_Nanocarrier_and_Herbal_Based_Transdermal_Patch_An_Advantage_Over_Other_Drug_Delivery_Systems.
44. Gangwal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Herbal Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://gangwalhealthcare.com/herbal-pain-relief-patch/.
45. Ishancare. Shoulder Patches. Available from: https://www.amazon.com/iShanCare-Shoulder-Pain-Relief-Patch/dp/B0BKL1GN9R.
46. Yakou. Tibetan Herbs Pain Relief Patch. Available from: https://classicderma.com/products/yakou-tibetian-herbs-pain-relief-transdermal-health-care-patch-2-each.
47. The Good Patch. Rescue Patch. Available from: https://www.thegoodpatch.com/rescue-patch.
48. Naosucura. Slim Patch Formula. Available from: https://www.naosucura.com/slim-patch-formula.
Published
20/10/2025
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How to Cite
K, R., K. N, N. S. H. S, J. B. K, P. Anu, and N. Abdul. “Herbal Nanoformulations and Transdermal Patches: A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Phytopharmaceutical Delivery Systems”. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry, Vol. 6, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 1-7, doi:10.46796/ijpc.v6i4.753.
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