Self-assembled supramolecule nanoplatforms with enhanced bioactivity existed in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), originating from oriental philosophy and culture, has made great contributions to the health of humans for thousands of years and is also the important sources of new drugs discovery. Self-assembled supramolecule nanoplatforms formed by the self-assembly of two or more chemical entities due to intermolecular non-covalent bonding forces have been discovered in TCMs and emerged as promising materials for treatment of diseases. These supramolecules can not only improve the solubility and bioavailability of insoluble active ingredients, but also exert synergistic therapeutic effects or reduce toxicity. In this review, we summarize the relevant research results of three types of supramolecule nanoplatforms over recent years, mainly including self-assembled nanoaggregates from decoction of TCM, self-assembled carbonized nanoarchitectures from Chinese carbonized drugs, and self-assembled extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles from Chinese fresh herbs. This paper mainly introduces the nanoplatforms morphology, self-assembled mechanisms, and pharmacological activities of these supramolecules. The self-assembled supramolecules with enhanced bioactivity from TCMs provide a new direction to elucidate the material basis of TCM and a promising alternative treatment strategy for human diseases, which may promote the modernization of TCM.