Editorial: Pharmacological Advancements of Novel Natural-Based Nanomedicines
Summary: Published March 19, 2026 in Frontiers in Pharmacology (Vol. 17, DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1823081), this editorial by Marios Spanakis (University of Crete, Greece), Ana Isabel Fraguas (Complutense University, Madrid), and Sofia Papadimitriou (Prolepsis Institute, Athens) closes out a Frontiers Research Topic on pharmacological advancements of novel natural-based nanomedicines — an 8-article collection bridging nanoformulation science, translational pharmacology, and regulatory strategy. Natural-based nanomedicines combine biologically derived materials (plant extracts, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles, bioactive phytochemicals) with nanotechnology platforms (solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, drug-drug nanocrystals, nanoparticle-decorated scaffolds) to overcome the principal limitations of natural compounds in clinical use: poor aqueous solubility, low systemic bioavailability, rapid enzymatic degradation, and limited targeting specificity. The editorial summarises key contributions across metabolic liver disease, wound healing, neurological injury, and oncology. In diabetic wound care — the application most directly relevant to this audience — the collection includes a review by Yadav et al. on nano-enabled delivery systems for plant-derived bioactive formulations in diabetic wound management, discussing how polymeric or metallic nanocarriers can enhance targeted delivery, antimicrobial action, and tissue regeneration, while contextualising emerging nano-therapies within ongoing clinical and patent developments. Other articles cover piperine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, ursolic acid drug-drug nanocrystals for cholestatic liver injury (restoring liver function via oxidative stress and bile acid metabolism modulation), and a Rosa canina oligosaccharide liposome for spinal cord injury neuroprotection. In oncology, two articles address green-synthesised silver nanoparticles from plant extracts (biosynthesis review, anticancer profiling) and plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles from Citrus limon showing PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK modulation in triple-negative breast cancer models. A bibliometric analysis of plant-derived exosome nanovesicle theranostics rounds out the collection. Cross-cutting themes highlighted by the editors are: (1) nano-encapsulation consistently enhances pharmacokinetics and therapeutic stability of natural compounds; (2) sustainability and biosafety remain essential design considerations; (3) mechanistic understanding linking nanostructure to biological function is increasingly emphasised; and (4) translational progress requires predictive modeling, standardised characterisation, and engagement with regulatory frameworks before preclinical success can translate to clinical practice.
Key Highlights:
- Diabetic wound relevance: Yadav et al. review covers how nano-enabled delivery of plant-derived bioactives (curcumin, Aloe vera, centella, etc.) can enhance targeted delivery to the wound bed, improve antimicrobial activity, and promote tissue regeneration — linking traditional phytomedicine to modern nanocarrier platforms
- Formulation science showcase: piperine SLNs enhance oral bioavailability and prolong hepatic circulation; ursolic acid drug-drug nanocrystals with α-tocopherol succinate restore liver function in cholestatic injury — demonstrating how rational nano-design enables synergistic pharmacodynamics not achievable with free compounds
- Plant-derived nanovesicles: Citrus limon-derived extracellular nanovesicles showed cellular uptake and suppression of proliferation/migration in triple-negative breast cancer models via PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK — a field converging green chemistry, nanotechnology, and precision oncology
- Spinal cord injury application: Rosa canina oligosaccharide liposome improved sensory-motor function, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and promoted neuronal survival in SCI rats — extending natural nanomedicine into neuroprotective contexts
- Four translational imperatives identified by editors: optimising nano-encapsulation for pharmacokinetic performance; ensuring biosafety and sustainability in green-synthesised materials; advancing mechanistic understanding of nano-bio interactions; and engaging with regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA) for clinical translation
- Research Topic scope: 8 articles, 32,000+ views; covers metabolic disorders, oncology, wound healing, neurological injury, and nanovesicle theranostics — reflecting the breadth of natural-based nanomedicine applications now under active investigation
Keywords: natural nanomedicine wound healing, plant extract nanoparticle wound, phytochemical nanocarrier diabetic wound, solid lipid nanoparticle drug delivery, green synthesis nanoparticle biocompatible, plant exosome nanovesicle therapy
Marios Spanakis, Ana Isabel Fraguas, Sofia Papadimitriou