Adv Polym Sci (2013) 254: 203–240
DOI: 10.1007/12_2012_195
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012
Published online: 3 January 2013
Phytomedicine-Loaded Polymeric
Nanomedicines: Potential Cancer Therapeutics
S. Maya, M. Sabitha, Shantikumar V. Nair, and R. Jayakumar
Abstract Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Repeated treatment with chemotherapeutics has resulted in tumors that are resistant
to these agents. So, it is becoming necessary to identify natural products that target
multiple signaling pathways and cause growth inhibitory effects on human cancer
cells without resulting in toxicity issues in normal cells. Curcumin, epigallocatechingallate (EGCG; green tea extract), resveratrol, saponins, silymarin, and grape
seed extract (GSE) are some of the phytochemicals with significant anticancer
potential that we will be focusing on in this review. Curcumin, a natural diphenolic
compound derived from turmeric Curcuma longa, has proven to be a modulator
of intracellular signaling pathways that control cancer cell growth, inflammation,
invasion and apoptosis, revealing its anticancer potential. EGCG and GSE are
two popular plant extracts that have attracted much attention in recent years
due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory
properties. Saponins are a group of naturally occurring plant glycosides, of which
at least 150 kinds of natural saponins have been found to possess significant
anticancer properties. Silymarin, a mixture of mainly three flavonolignans (silybin,
silychristin and silydianin), is extracted from the milk thistle and possesses potential biological properties. Even though these agents are potent anticancer agents,
they are limited by their solubility, hydrophobicity, and low bioavailability.
Polymeric nanocarriers provide an efficient platform for overcoming the factors
that limit application of phytochemicals as therapeutic agents. This review focuses
on the development of phytochemical-loaded polymeric nanoparticles and their
application as potential anticancer therapeutic agents.
S. Maya, S.V. Nair, and R. Jayakumar (*)
Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India
e-mail: rjayakumar@aims.amrita.edu; jayakumar77@yahoo.com
M. Sabitha
Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita
Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India
DOI: 10.1007/12_2012_195
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012
Published online: 3 January 2013
Phytomedicine-Loaded Polymeric
Nanomedicines: Potential Cancer Therapeutics
S. Maya, M. Sabitha, Shantikumar V. Nair, and R. Jayakumar
Abstract Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Repeated treatment with chemotherapeutics has resulted in tumors that are resistant
to these agents. So, it is becoming necessary to identify natural products that target
multiple signaling pathways and cause growth inhibitory effects on human cancer
cells without resulting in toxicity issues in normal cells. Curcumin, epigallocatechingallate (EGCG; green tea extract), resveratrol, saponins, silymarin, and grape
seed extract (GSE) are some of the phytochemicals with significant anticancer
potential that we will be focusing on in this review. Curcumin, a natural diphenolic
compound derived from turmeric Curcuma longa, has proven to be a modulator
of intracellular signaling pathways that control cancer cell growth, inflammation,
invasion and apoptosis, revealing its anticancer potential. EGCG and GSE are
two popular plant extracts that have attracted much attention in recent years
due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory
properties. Saponins are a group of naturally occurring plant glycosides, of which
at least 150 kinds of natural saponins have been found to possess significant
anticancer properties. Silymarin, a mixture of mainly three flavonolignans (silybin,
silychristin and silydianin), is extracted from the milk thistle and possesses potential biological properties. Even though these agents are potent anticancer agents,
they are limited by their solubility, hydrophobicity, and low bioavailability.
Polymeric nanocarriers provide an efficient platform for overcoming the factors
that limit application of phytochemicals as therapeutic agents. This review focuses
on the development of phytochemical-loaded polymeric nanoparticles and their
application as potential anticancer therapeutic agents.
S. Maya, S.V. Nair, and R. Jayakumar (*)
Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India
e-mail: rjayakumar@aims.amrita.edu; jayakumar77@yahoo.com
M. Sabitha
Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita
Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India