Exploring the role of polymeric nanoparticles in transdermal delivery of natural bioactive molecules: an overview

The stratum corneum layer makes human skin a permeation barrier and a unique delivery mechanism for medicinal and other active substances. The transdermal distribution of these chemicals occurs via intercellular, intracellular, and transappendageal routes into skin layers and subcutaneous tissues and systemic circulation. Recent research shows that nanoparticle-based transdermal administration methods can treat various skin diseases. In recent decades, natural bioactive compounds have been widely used to treat and prevent various skin diseases due to their numerous therapeutic benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Despite their potential in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, their limited water solubility, bioavailability, GIT stability, metabolism, and short duration of action are major drawbacks. These drawbacks of natural bioactive molecules can be eliminated by using polymeric nanoparticles for their transdermal delivery. This paper reviews the current information on polymeric nanoparticles for transdermal delivery of natural bioactive compounds. Furthermore, this work may shed light on polymeric nanoparticles as prospective candidates for delivering natural bioactive compounds transdermally, including problems and strategies to overcome obstacles.