Application of targeted drug delivery system in Chinese medicine

Targeted drug delivery system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to those using different carriers to make the effective parts or monomer extracted from TCM or natural medicine into agents which can directly concentrate on the target site. This system is an ideal delivery approach and has became a hot spot in the field of TCM pharmaceutical research since it can improve the pharmacological effects and reduce the adverse reactions. This paper reviews literatures on TCM targeted agents which were published in the past 10 years. In accordance with the different carriers, four types of agents, liposome, nanoparticle, microsphere, and emulsion are analyzed. Liposomes were studied most profoundly and a variety of new types of liposomes was developed on the basis of the traditional liposomes. Using natural or synthetic polymer materials to carry drugs, nanoparticles and microspheres can promote the drug through the blood–brain barrier and enhance its bioavailability. Emulsion has lymphatic affinity and the drug is coated in the internal phase, which can protect the drugs from hydrolysis. All these delivery agents are proved to be effective ways to improve the clinical efficacy of drugs, and each is discussed in detail with examples. At present, TCM targeted agents are still in the exploratory stage and many problems need to be solved. Especially, it is a huge challenge to research the targeted delivery systems for the effective parts of Chinese medicines and compound prescriptions, and the paper gives a particular discussion on this point. In the future, more attention should be paid to the research on the particle agents of TCM effective parts, and the development of new carrier materials in order to enhance the overall quality of TCM targeted agents.