Description

The global surge in skin cancer necessitates innovative treatments that balance effectiveness with reduced side effects. The fusion of nanotechnology and medical research has unveiled plant-derived nanogels as promising contenders for advancing skin cancer therapy. Skin cancer, comprising diverse malignancies, demands novel approaches to enhance treatment efficacy. Nanogels, intricate networks of nanoscale cross-linked polymers, have emerged as versatile vehicles for targeted drug delivery. Their capacity to encapsulate various therapeutic agents and react to stimuli presents a platform poised to revolutionize treatment paradigms.

Nanogels medicines

One of the most notable advancements is the integration of herbal medicines and nanotechnology, culminating in herbal nanogels. By embedding bioactive plant-derived compounds within nanogel matrices, these constructs offer a holistic therapeutic approach. The convergence of nanotechnology and herbal medicine in the form of herbal nanogels holds promise for refining skin cancer treatment. Leveraging precise drug delivery mechanisms and adaptability to complex microenvironments, nanogels have the potential to redefine treatment standards. This comprehensive review delineates the evolving landscape of herbal nanogels and elucidates their potential as effective, targeted and minimally invasive tools in combating skin cancer. Nanogels, nanoparticles synthesized through the amalgamation of a hydrogel and a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer, exhibit promise as drug carriers for targeting cancer cells due to their malleability and customizability. Their ability to encapsulate various therapeutic agents efficiently makes them prospective candidates for nanomedicine carriers. Additionally, their ample surface area and substantial drug loading capacity render them appealing for in vivo applications. Nanogels, comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer network, garner widespread interest across diverse fields, including drug delivery and imaging. The soluble nature of imprinted nanogels facilitates homogeneous catalysis, overcoming transport limitations of conventional insoluble systems. Soluble imprinted nanogels offer the advantages of convenient separation of reaction mixtures and analysability through standard methods. Notably, the printed nanogels exhibit remarkable sensitivity to pH conditions, enhancing catalytic efficiency by providing an optimal hydrophobic microenvironment.

Skin cancer

Familial carcinoma, encompassing various skin malignancies, poses a pressing public health concern, with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma being predominant. Despite surgical excision serving as the primary therapy, its invasiveness and potential for disfigurement underscore the necessity for alternative approaches. Conventional systemic chemotherapy, while effective, often induces debilitating side effects due to collateral tissue damage. Similarly, radiotherapy is constrained by potential adjacent tissue damage and limited applicability. In response to these challenges, research into nanotechnology-based solutions is gaining momentum, heralding a paradigm shift in skin cancer treatment. Central to this innovation is the nanogel, amalgamating nanoparticle and hydrogel properties. While local drug delivery via nanogels offers the advantage of minimizing systemic side effects, concerns persist regarding potential metastatic escalation. Addressing this issue entails exploring strategies that marry the precision of local delivery with systemic targeting. This involves leveraging nanogels to trigger specific stimuli for targeted drug release and integrating local delivery with systemic immunotherapy to evoke a broader antitumor immune response. Polymer concentration, temperature, medium ionic strength, crosslinkers and other parameters all influence the responsiveness of these systems. The interaction of amphiphilic block copolymers and the complexation of oppositely charged polymeric chains forms micro- and nanogels in just a few minutes. Physical gels can also be created via the aggregation and/or self-assembly of polymeric chains. To create these nanogels, nanoparticles are dispersed in an organic or inorganic substrate. Hybrid nanogels are particularly sensitive due to their structural formation. The researchers found that the hybrid nanogel created by the selfassembly of a polymer in an aqueous medium is very effective for rapid delivery of drugs to their target. Polymers such as pullulan-PNIPAM, polysaccharides and others are used to prepare these nanogels. Cholesterol-pullulan hybrid nanogel has been extensively studied and shown to be a promising drug carrier for delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins, peptides, oligosaccharides and other bioactive agents. Hybrid nanogels can also deliver insulin and tumor drugs locally and on demand.