Cancer treatment: from traditional Chinese herbal medicine to the liposome delivery system

Traditional Chinese herbal (TCH) medicines have emerged as a prospective and affordable method to treat various diseases with broad range of biological activity; however, traditional preparations, like decoctions, are often associated low bioavailability, thus resulting in limited efficacy against cancer. The drawbacks active TCH components, including instability, poor permeability, high hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, undesirable pharmacokinetic profiles, off-target toxicity, also exist. Most clinical alternative for the treatment chronic diseases. A liposomal delivery system is most common class FDA-approved nanomedicines, which has improved pharmacokinetics, enhanced targetability, reduced side effects. Therefore, we anticipate that technology will help concentrate drugs inside tumors, fully release therapeutic potential reduce effects medicines. review provides brief overview several representative components related liposome strategies cancer therapy. Current challenges targeting discussed interested researchers.