Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times for their various therapeutic activities and are safer compared to modern medicines, especially when properly identifying and preparing them and choosing an adequate dose administration. The phytochemical compounds present in plants are progressively yielding evidence in modern drug delivery systems by treating various diseases like cancers, coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, microbial, viral and parasitic infections, psychotic diseases, spasmodic conditions, ulcers, etc. The phytochemical requires a rational approach to deliver the compounds to enhance the efficacy and to improve patients’ compatibility. Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the most promising strategies in disease control. Nano-formulations could target certain parts of the body and control drug release. Different studies report that phytochemical-loaded nano-formulations have been tested successfully both in vitro and in vivo for healing of skin wounds. The use of nano systems as drug carriers may reduce the toxicity and enhance the bioavailability of the incorporated drug. In this review, we focus on various nano-phytomedicines that have been used in treating skin burn wounds, and how both nanotechnology and phytochemicals are effective for treating skin burns.

Smilax china L. (family Smilacaceae) and Salix alba L. (family Salicaceae) are plants that have been traditionally used to treat various ailments in Indian and Chinese medicine. A quantitative estimation of the methanolic extracts of these plants was performed by GC-MS analysis to obtain insight into its phytoconstituents responsible for therapeutic action. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts of Smilax china (MESC) and Salix alba (MESA) were assessed with DPPH by using a UV spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 517 nm. The prevailing compounds found in MESC were lactam sugars including 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-dihydroxy-3(2H)-furanon (1.40%), 1,5-anhydro-6-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose (4.33%), and alpha-methyl-1-sorboside (1.80%); the two alkaloids found were 1,4-methane-4,4a,5,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro-10,10-dimethyl cyclohepta[d] pyridazine (0.87%) and 1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-dioxopurine(0.54%); terpenes included deltacadinene (0.39%), terpineol, (+)-cedrol (22.13%), 3-thujanol (0.77%), and 9,10-dehydro-cycloisolongifolene (0.34%); fatty acids included cis-vaccenic acid (4.98%) and telfairic acid (1.10%); esters included 1,2,3-propanetriol diacetate (7.56%), 7-hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester (1.77%), eicosanoic acid, and methyl ester (0.95%); and glycerol included 1,2,3-propanetriol (28.75%). The interesting compounds found in MESA were reducing sugars like D-allose (4.40%) and pyrogallol (10.48%), alkaloids like caffeine (63.49%), and esters like methyl octadecanoate (0.53%). Both fractions revealed considerable antioxidant activity. The reported existing phenolic compounds and terpenes are responsible for the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts.

Microbial pathogens, mainly bacteria, are a major cause of food spoilage resulting in several foodborne diseases. Food spoilage can be prevented by the application of chemical preservatives in the food industry but such process has harmful effects on human health and causes the introduction of chemicals in several food chains, leading to toxicity and long-term complications. Due to such adverse effects, the need to find natural preservatives that are safer to use, effective and less complicated is increasing. This study is based on plant extracts that play a major role in microbicidal action (the use of natural preservatives is preferred over chemical ones). Antimicrobial action of different plant extracts was assessed using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as experimental bacterial strains. Ethanolic extracts of different plants like Punica granatum, Acacia catechu and Phyllanthus emblica were highly effective against the both analyzed bacterial strains at a dosage of 10 mg/mL, while the extracts of Ocimum bacilicum and Quercus infectoria were effective only against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Punica granatum and Phyllanthus emblica extracts were found to be the most effective and exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against the highly infectious strains of pathogenic bacteria causing food spoilage, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 5 mg/mL. The plant extracts used in the study were highly effective in reducing bacterial contamination and can be used as an alternative to chemical preservatives to avoid and control foodborne diseases and for preservation of food with no health-related hazards caused by chemicals.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a climbing perennial plant in the Piperaceae family. Pepper has been known since antiquity for its use both as a medicine and a spice. It is particularly valued for its pungency attributed to its principal constituent - piperine. This review summarizes the information on the biological source of piperine, its extraction and isolation strategies, physicochemical properties, and pharmacological activity - analgesic, immunomodulatory, anti-depressive, anti-diarrheal, hepatoprotective, etc. The effect of piperine on biotransformation of co-administered drugs is also presented in this review, along with the mechanisms involved in its bioavailability-enhancing effect. Its important medicinal uses, including anti-hepatotoxic, anti-diarrheal, anti-depressive, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects, besides many other traditional uses, are compiled. Based on an exhaustive review of literature, it may be concluded that piperine is a very promising alkaloid found in members of the Piperaceae family.

Adhatoda vasica L. is a medicinal plant, also known as Malabar nut in English, belongs to family Acanthaceae. It has been used traditionally to treat respiratory disorders like severe cough, cold, chronic bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, and other illnesses. The multifunctional range of bioactives found in it has piqued the interest of pharmaceutical companies, who are looking for more evidence-based ways to develop new formulations. Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica L. leaves (MEAV) was analysed by hyphenated gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy for identification and characterization of its bioactives and traditional therapeutic claim. Widely anticipated DPPH method was used to determine the antioxidant activity of MEAV. The major compounds revealed in MEAV leaves are 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine (3.06%); 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (5.35%); 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (16.82%); 2-butylphenol (6.85%); 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-on (2.5%); 2(OR 3)-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxyphenol (3.52%); megastigmatrienone 3 (1.02%); tetradecanoic acid (1.52%); vomifoliol (0.58%); oxalic acid, cyclobutylhexyl ester (6.03%); hexadecanoic acid (6.06%); 4-ethyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[B]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (10.08%); phytol (2.01%); and vitamin E (3.18%). A significant reduction in free radical against DPPH was observed, which revealed antioxidant potential of MEAV. Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica L. leaves consist of both polar and nonpolar components. GC-MS analysis was used to identify these compounds. The current work validates that the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract attributed to the presence of compounds like vitamin E, alkaloid, and terpene.