Cancer is one of the most common lethal diseases and the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Effective cancer treatment is a global problem, and subsequent advancements in nanomedicine are useful as substitute management for anti-cancer agents. Nanotechnology, which is gaining popularity, enables fast-expanding delivery methods in science for curing diseases in a site-specific approach, utilizing natural bioactive substances because several studies have established that natural plant-based bioactive compounds can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Bioactive, in combination with nanotechnology, is an exceptionally alluring and recent development in the fight against cancer. Along with their nutritional advantages, natural bioactive chemicals may be used as chemotherapeutic medications to manage cancer. Alginate, starch, xanthan gum, pectin, guar gum, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, albumin, collagen, cellulose, chitosan, and other biopolymers have been employed successfully in the delivery of medicinal products to particular sites. Due to their biodegradability, natural polymeric nanobiocomposites have garnered much interest in developing novel anti-cancer drug delivery methods. There are several techniques to create biopolymer-based nanoparticle systems. However, these systems must be created in an affordable and environmentally sustainable way to be more readily available, selective, and less hazardous to increase treatment effectiveness. Thus, an extensive comprehension of the various facets and recent developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites utilized to deliver anti-cancer drugs is imperative. The present article provides an overview of the latest research and developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites, particularly emphasizing their applications in the controlled and targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

Celecoxib is a well known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and extensively employed for the treatment of arthritis. The aim of the present study was to design, develop and optimization of micro particulates system, for colon specific delivery of celecoxib for both local (in prophylaxis of colorectal adreno-carcinoma) and systemic (in chrono-therapeutic treatment of arthritis) therapy. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the effect of formulation variables e.g., amount of eudragit polymer (X₁), surfactant concentration (X₂) and agitation speed (X₃) on in-vitro release profiles (Y₁-Y₃), drug entrapment efficiency (Y₄) and particle size (Y₅) of micro-particulates system of celecoxib. Microspheres were formulated with the combination of ethyl cellulose (EC) and eudragit RS100/eudragit S100; by using a novel quasi emulsion solvent diffusion technique. Developed formulations were characterized and evaluated on the basis of FTIR, thermal, particle size, SEM and XRD analysis. The formulation variables were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Best optimized delayed release formulation was further subjected to the in vivo x-ray studies to evaluate the site specificity. It was found that in-vitro release (Y₁-Y₃ ) decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in amount of eudragit polymer but increased significantly (p<0.05) with an increase in surfactant concentration and stirring speed. FTIR study indicated that no strong chemical interaction took place between the drug and excipients of prepared formulations. DSC and XRD studies indicated that drug was present in the amorphous state. The X-ray photographs revealed that the swelling layer eroded from the outer surface and a size reduction was seen after 6 hrs when optimized microspheres reached the site of colon. Therefore, this approach suggested that the combination of eudragit S100 and ethyl cellulose microspheres may be useful for the delivery of maximum amount of celecoxib in intact form to the colon.