Bio-based nanomaterials in drug delivery: An updated review
14 affiliations
- 1Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
- 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
- 3Advanced Technical College, University of Warith AlAnbiyaa, Karbala, Iraq
- 4Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
- 5Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
- 6Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
- 7Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
- 8Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
- 9Department of Chemical and Petroleum Industries Engineering Techniques, Polytechnic College of Engineering Specializations - Baghdad, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq
- 10Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
- 11Irfan Suat Gunsel Operational Research Institute, Near East University, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia, 99138, Turkey
- 12Al-Ayen Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, AUIQ, P.O. Box: 64004, An Nasiriyah, ThiQar, Iraq
- 13Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
- 14Department of Physics, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, Delta State, Nigeria
Abstract
Bio-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising drug delivery platforms due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to enhance therapeutic performance. Conventional drug delivery systems are often limited by poor drug solubility, rapid degradation, low bioavailability, and nonspecific distribution, particularly for natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of bio-based nanocarriers capable of improving drug stability, controlled release, intracellular transport, and site-specific delivery. This review provides an updated overview of natural nanomaterials used in drug delivery, including polysaccharide-, protein-, lipid-, and green-synthesized inorganic nanocarriers. Major delivery platforms such as nanoliposomes, micelles, nanosuspensions, solid lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanostructures are discussed alongside their mechanisms of action, including passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, ligand-mediated active targeting, and stimuli-responsive drug release. The review further examines recent applications in cancer therapy, gastrointestinal disorders, delivery of natural bioactive compounds, vaccines, gene therapy, and neurological diseases. In addition to highlighting therapeutic advantages, this review critically discusses current translational challenges, including large-scale manufacturing, batch reproducibility, long-term safety, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and regulatory limitations. A key contribution of this review is the integration of comparative analysis and translational perspectives across major bio-based nanocarrier systems, highlighting the need for standardized evaluation frameworks and scalable production strategies. Future research should focus on reproducible green synthesis methods, quantitative benchmarking, advanced characterization approaches, and clinically relevant validation studies to accelerate the translation of natural nanomaterials into pharmaceutical applications.
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BibTeX
@article{edo2026biobased,
title = {{Bio-based nanomaterials in drug delivery: An updated review}},
author = {Great Iruoghene Edo and Ali B.M. Ali and Michael Chukwuma Okolie and Joshua Othuke Orogu and Kugbere Emumejaye and Ephraim Evi Alex Oghroro and Agatha Ngukuran Jikah and Emad A. Yousif and Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku and Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo and Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah and Dina S. Ahmed and Raghda S. Makia and Huzaifa Umar and Ahmed A. Alamiery and Ibiyinka Fuwape},
journal = {Pharmaceutical Science Advances},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1016/j.pscia.2026.100126},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscia.2026.100126},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Bio-based nanomaterials in drug delivery: An updated review
AU - Great Iruoghene Edo
AU - Ali B.M. Ali
AU - Michael Chukwuma Okolie
AU - Joshua Othuke Orogu
AU - Kugbere Emumejaye
AU - Ephraim Evi Alex Oghroro
AU - Agatha Ngukuran Jikah
AU - Emad A. Yousif
AU - Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku
AU - Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo
AU - Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah
AU - Dina S. Ahmed
AU - Raghda S. Makia
AU - Huzaifa Umar
AU - Ahmed A. Alamiery
AU - Ibiyinka Fuwape
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/22
JO - Pharmaceutical Science Advances
DO - 10.1016/j.pscia.2026.100126
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscia.2026.100126
AB - Bio-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising drug delivery platforms due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to enhance therapeutic performance. Conventional drug delivery systems are often limited by poor drug solubility, rapid degradation, low bioavailability, and nonspecific distribution, particularly for natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of bio-based nanocarriers capable of improving drug stability, controlled release, intracellular transport, and site-specific delivery. This review provides an updated overview of natural nanomaterials used in drug delivery, including polysaccharide-, protein-, lipid-, and green-synthesized inorganic nanocarriers. Major delivery platforms such as nanoliposomes, micelles, nanosuspensions, solid lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanostructures are discussed alongside their mechanisms of action, including passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, ligand-mediated active targeting, and stimuli-responsive drug release. The review further examines recent applications in cancer therapy, gastrointestinal disorders, delivery of natural bioactive compounds, vaccines, gene therapy, and neurological diseases. In addition to highlighting therapeutic advantages, this review critically discusses current translational challenges, including large-scale manufacturing, batch reproducibility, long-term safety, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and regulatory limitations. A key contribution of this review is the integration of comparative analysis and translational perspectives across major bio-based nanocarrier systems, highlighting the need for standardized evaluation frameworks and scalable production strategies. Future research should focus on reproducible green synthesis methods, quantitative benchmarking, advanced characterization approaches, and clinically relevant validation studies to accelerate the translation of natural nanomaterials into pharmaceutical applications.
SN - 2773-2169
ER -