Harmonizing tradition and technology: liposomal nanocarriers unlocking the power of natural herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Natural herbs have potential therapeutic benefits for treating various chronic and complex diseases. However, they face challenges such as the lack of safer delivery systems, low bioavailability, poor stability, toxicity, potential herb-drug interactions, lack of evidence base, and global acceptance. Liposomes are emerging as a widely used drug delivery drug system. They are composed of a phospholipid bilayer and an aqueous core, making them suitable for encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Liposomes can also carry tiny diagnostic and imaging tools for precise and early detection of diseases. Hence, liposomes can serve as a novel and effective delivery technology to enhance the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies. However, their use in delivering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is a holistic approach based on the principle of energy balance and organ function, has not been extensively explored. In this review, we explored the potential therapeutic benefits of natural herbs and how liposomes can improve their therapeutic benefits. We compared TCM to Western medicine and explored how liposomes could bridge the gap between the two. We also discussed various techniques for formulating TCM-loaded liposomes, focusing on the microfluidics method, its advantages and challenges over conventional methods. We delved into the existing challenges hindering the seamless harmony of liposomal technology and TCM, then suggested solutions to overcome these challenges and harness the full potential of this technology to improve the safety and therapeutic efficacy of TCM. Ultimately, we provided insightful suggestions for future investigations and identified promising avenues for further research.