Future developments in nanotechnology are expected to focus on smart nanocarriers, targeted delivery systems, personalized medicine

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future work of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 3 journals. Those papers have been cited 7 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Advances on mechanisms and structural classification of Chinese herbal monomers against hepatocellular carcinoma (2026) · World Journal of Gastroenterology · doi

  To overcome the aforementioned challenges and promote the deepening and translation of anti-HCC research on Chinese herbal monomers, future research can focus on the following directions. Deepen mechanistic research for precise analysis Utilize modern technological means such as artificial intelligence, multi-omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and high-content screening to systematically reveal the precise targets and upstream/downstream signaling events of Chinese herbal monomers within complex biological networks (Figure 3). Strengthen structural optimization to improve druggability Based on the initially established structure-activity relationships, perform rational structural modification and optimization on high-activity lead compounds. Simultaneously, actively develop novel drug delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric micelles) to enhance targeted drug delivery efficiency and bioavailability[24,85]. Explore combination therapies to leverage synergistic advantages Focus on conducting combination therapy research between Chinese herbal monomers and existing standard treatments (e.g., sorafenib, lenvatinib, programmed cell death-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), seeking optimized regimens for synergistic enhancement and reversal of chemotherapy resistance[60,73]. 24 / 60 Promote clinical translation and accumulate evidence Actively promote well-designed phase I/II clinical trials to preliminarily evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and initial efficacy of promising Chinese herbal monomers in HCC patients. Based on this, conduct confirmatory phase III clinical trials. Expand treatment dimensions, focusing on mind-body integrative therapy Future research should pay special attention to Chinese herbal monomers for HCC patients with psychological stress, as exemplified by paeoniflorin’s anti-depressant and anti-tumor dual activities[28]. CONCLUSION In conclusion, Chinese herbal monomers constitute a rich and pharmacologically diverse resource for HCC drug discovery. Their multi-target mechanisms offer a distinct advantage in addressing the complexity of hepatocarcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance. This review provides a systematic structural classification and a preliminary structure-class-mechanism association, laying a theoretical foundation for future development. Recent advances in understanding novel cell death mechanisms (ferroptosis, cuproptosis, pyroptosis), immunomodulation, and drug delivery systems have significantly enriched this field. However, our critical analysis reveals that the majority of studies remain at the preclinical stage, with many relying on a limited panel of cell lines and subcutaneous xenograft models. Successful translation will requir

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: chinese herbal monomers drug promote translation anti future structural delivery cell clinical focus precise multi
• NANOTECHNOLOGY IN HERBAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A REVIEW (2026) · European Journal Pharmaceutical and Medical Research · doi

  Future developments in nanotechnology are expected to focus on smart nanocarriers, targeted delivery systems, personalized medicine, theranostics, and AI-assisted nanoformulation advances may design. These significantly improve the therapeutic potential of herbal medicines.[40] CONCLUSION Nanotechnology has significantly advanced herbal drug delivery by overcoming challenges associated with poor solubility, low bioavailability, instability, and lack of target specificity. Various nanocarrier systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, SLNs, NLCs, polymeric micelles, and dendrimers have demonstrated promising results in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of research and clinical phytoconstituents. Continued evaluation will facilitate the development of safe, effective, and commercially viable nanotechnology- based herbal medicines. REFERENCES 1. Bonifácio BV, da Silva PB, dos Santos Ramos MA, Negri KMS, Chorilli M. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and herbal medicines: a review. Int J Nanomedicine, 2014; 9: 1-15. doi:10.2147/IJN.S52634.

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: nanotechnology herbal delivery systems medicines therapeutic drug based future developments expected focus smart nanocarriers targeted
• Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential (2025) · Biomolecules · cited 7× · doi

  Carvacrol, a bioactive monoterpenoid compound derived from various aromatic plants, demonstrates promising anticancer properties across multiple GI malignancies. By modulating key molecular pathways involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, metasta- sis, and inflammation, it supports its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent. Nanotechnology-driven formulations and synergistic combinations with established chemotherapeutics further enhance its potential clinical relevance. Despite substantial preclinical evidence supporting carvacrol’s anticancer efficacy in GI malignancies, its clinical application remains underexplored. To bridge this translational gap, a multi-faceted approach is essential. Foremost, early-phase clinical trials are needed to evaluate carvacrol’s safety, tolerability, and therapeutic window in human subjects. Con- currently, pharmacokinetic profiling and dose-optimization studies should be conducted to improve its systemic availability and therapeutic consistency. Advanced formulation strate- gies, particularly nanocarriers-based delivery systems, can further enhance tumor-specific targeting while minimizing off-target toxicity. An important avenue for future investigation is the integration of carvacrol into combination therapy regimens. Co-administration with existing chemotherapeutics or immunotherapies may prevent adverse drug interactions or potentiation of side effects. In parallel, incorporating carvacrol into a precision oncology framework will require the identification of predictive biomarkers and molecular signatures that can guide patient selection and maximize therapeutic benefit. Ultimately, realizing carvacrol’s full potential in GI oncology will demand robust in- terdisciplinary collaboration spanning pharmacology, molecular oncology, clinical research, and natural product chemistry. Key challenges, such as variability in patient response, bioavailability limitations, and formulation standardization, must be systematically ad- dressed. With sustained research efforts and clinical validation, carvacrol holds significant promise as a low-toxicity, multi-targeted therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of GI cancers. Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.R.S. and H.S.T.; writing—original draft preparation, N.P., G.S., V.S., P.C., B.S., S.H. and V.Y.; writing—review and editing, N.P., G.S., V.S., P.C., B.S., S.H., V.Y., S.R.S. and H.S.T.; visualization, S.R.S. and H.S.T.; supervision, S.R.S. and H.S.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research received no external funding. Data Availability Statement: No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: carvacrol therapeutic clinical molecular potential oncology anticancer malignancies agent chemotherapeutics further enhance multi availability formulation

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