Nutraceuticals are the nourishing components (hybrid of nutrition and pharmaceuticals) that are biologically active and possess capability for maintaining optimal health and benefits. These products play a significant role in human health care and its endurance, most importantly for the future therapeutic development. Nutraceuticals have received recognition due to their nutritional benefits along with therapeutic effects and safety profile. Nutraceuticals are globally growing in the field of services such as health care promotion, disease reduction, etc. Various drug nutraceutical interactions have also been elaborated with various examples in this review. Several patents on nutraceuticals in agricultural applications and in various diseases have been stated in the last section of review, which confirms the exponential growth of nutraceuticals’ market value. Nutraceuticals have been used not only for nutrition but also as a support therapy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as to reduce side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Diverse novel nanoformulation approaches tend to overcome challenges involved in formulation development of nutraceuticals. Prior information on various interactions with drugs may help in preventing any deleterious effects of nutraceuticals products. Nanotechnology also leads to the generation of micronized dietary products and other nutraceutical supplements with improved health benefits. In this review article, the latest key findings (clinical studies) on nutraceuticals that show the therapeutic action of nutraceutical’s bioactive molecules on various diseases have also been discussed.

Biopolymers are extensively used for developing drug delivery systems as they are easily available, economical, readily modified, nontoxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. Thiolation is a well reported approach for enhancing mucoadhesive and mechanical properties of polymers. In the present review article, for the modification of biopolymers different thiolation methods and evaluation/characterization techniques have been discussed in detail. Reported literature on thiolated biopolymers with enhanced mechanical and mucoadhesive properties has been presented conspicuously in text as well as in tabular form. Patents filed by researchers on thiolated polymers have also been presented. In conclusion, thiolation is an easily reproducible and efficient method for customization of mucoadhesive and mechanical properties of biopolymers for drug delivery applications.

Wounds, which are becoming more common as a result of traumas, surgery, burns, and chronic illnesses like diabetes, remain a critical medical problem. Infectious bacteria impact the healing process, particularly if its biofilm (biological films) leads to a prolonged effect. Nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates in the field of wound healing due to their unique properties and versatile applications. New insights into the interactions between nanomaterials and wound microenvironments have shed light on the mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects. However, a significantly minimal amount of research has been carried out to see if these nanomaterials significantly promote the wound healing process. In this review, we provided an outline of the various types of nanomaterials that have been studied for healing wounds and infection prevention. Overall, the utilization of nanomaterials in wound healing holds great promise and continues to evolve, providing new opportunities for the development of effective and efficient wound care therapies.

Nanoformulations have become increasingly useful as drug delivery technologies in recent decades. As therapeutics, oral administration is the most common delivery method, although it is not always the most effective route because of challenges with swallowing, gastrointestinal discomfort, low solubility, and poor absorption. One of the most significant barriers that medications must overcome to exert a therapeutic effect is the impact of the first hepatic transit. Studies have shown that controlled-release systems using nanoparticles composed of biodegradable natural polymers significantly improve oral administration, which is why these materials have attracted significant attention. Chitosan possesses a wide variety of properties and functions in the pharmaceutical as well as healthcare industries. Drug encapsulation and transport within the body are two of its most important features. Moreover, chitosan can enhance drug efficacy by facilitating drug interaction with target cells. Based on its physicochemical properties, chitosan can potentially be synthesized into nanoparticles, and this review summarizes recent advances and applications of orally delivered chitosan nanoparticle interventions.

Polymers have been widely used for the development of drug delivery systems accommodating the regulated release of therapeutic agents in consistent doses over a long period, cyclic dosing, and the adjustable release of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Nowadays, polymer blends are increasingly employed in drug development as they generate more promising results when compared to those of homopolymers. This review article describes the recent research efforts focusing on the utilization of chitosan blends with other polymers in an attempt to enhance the properties of chitosan. Furthermore, the various applications of chitosan blends in drug delivery are thoroughly discussed herein. The literature from the past ten years was collected using various search engines such as ScienceDirect, J-Gate, Google Scholar, PubMed, and research data were compiled according to the various novel carrier systems. Nanocarriers made from chitosan and chitosan derivatives have a positive surface charge, which allows for control of the rate, duration, and location of drug release in the body, and can increase the safety and efficacy of the delivery system. Recently developed nanocarriers using chitosan blends have been shown to be cost-effective, more efficacious, and prolonged release carriers that can be incorporated into suitable dosage forms.

Recent advancements in wound healing technologies focus on incorporating herbal bioactives into biopolymeric formulations. A biocompatible matrix that promotes healing is provided by biopolymeric wound dressings. These dressings use components such as ulvan, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin, and pectin. These natural polymers assist in three crucial processes, namely, cell adhesion, proliferation, and moisture retention, all of which are necessary for effective wound repair. Curcumin, quercetin, Aloe vera, Vinca alkaloids, and Centella asiatica are some of the herbal bioactives that are included in biopolymeric formulations. They have powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Chitosan, cellulose, collagen, alginate, and hyaluronic acid are some of the biopolymers that have shown promise in clinical trials for wound healing. These trials have also confirmed the safety and functional performance of these materials. Their recent advancements in wound care can be understood by the increasing number of patents linked to these formulations. These innovative dressings improve healing outcomes in acute and chronic wounds while minimizing adverse effects by incorporating biopolymers with herbal bioactives in an efficient manner. This review emphasizes that the development of next-generation wound care products can be facilitated via the integration of natural materials and bioactive substances.