Research Article Details

Abstract

Natural products derived from medicinal plants provide a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules for modern pharmacology, yet their therapeutic implementation is heavily restricted by native physicochemical and pharmacokinetic barriers [9]. To overcome these critical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) hurdles, modern formulation sciences utilize advanced nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) to optimize safety and therapeutic efficacy [4, 6]. These innovative platforms including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liposomes, phytosomes, and polymeric nanoparticles are engineered to enhance aqueous solubility, shield compounds from enzymatic degradation, and alter distribution kinetics [4]. By wrapping lipophilic or unstable therapeutic molecules within protective lipid or polymeric matrices, these nanocarriers can successfully bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism via intestinal lymphatic pathways [1, 4]. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is metabolized into its conjugate glucuronide and sulfate forms in vivo [2]. Within this technological framework, cranberry, apple peels, rosemary, and basil contain ursolic acid, which exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [3]. The medicinal plant Ficus religiosa L. serves as a premier model for isolation and pharmacokinetic analysis due to its diverse array of co-existing bioactive marker compounds like lupeol, beta-sitosterol, and quercetin [1, 7]. Each constituent presents distinct molecular challenges, ranging from the extreme non-polarity of lupeol to the poor intestinal uptake of beta-sitosterol and the instability of quercetin [1]. Ultimately, this review exposes vital research gaps, such as the complete absence of human clinical data, lack of long-term degradation kinetics, and an over-reliance on single-marker extraction [1, 8]. Addressing these frontiers will allow organic chemists to successfully transition traditional herbal remedies into scientifically validated, modern pharmaceutical agents. Very few data is available for the pharmacokinetic studies of natural product. Hence this review, explores different pharmacological methodologies available for natural products to serve as drug. In this review, detailed pharmacokinetics of curcumin and ursolic acid has been studied, which will be road map for many natural product.

Keywords: Therapeutics, Pharmacokinetics, Biomarkers, Nanocarriers, Bioavailability, Curcumin ,ursolic acid.