Unveiling the therapeutic potential and nanotechnological approaches for the delivery of tanshinone IIA

Phytochemicals, as dietary ingredients, are being extensively studied for the treatment and prevention of many illnesses. Tanshinone IIA, a plant-derived diterpene quinone has demonstrated various therapeutic effects. However, limitations like low solubility, bioavailability and stability, weak targeting biodistribution, and short half-life make Tan IIA an unlikely candidate for effective therapy. Nanoformulations based on natural substances are gaining interest as a treatment approach for various human diseases, as they provide an effective alternative to conventional approaches, which are frequently linked with a number of adverse effects and complications. The study comprises a thorough assessment of existing research findings from a variety of sources in order to collect data on Tan IIA therapeutic properties and innovative delivery systems. Literature was compiled from various databases, including Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as "Tanshinone IIA" or "diterpenes" in combination with "Traditional Chinese medicine", "Therapeutic potential", "Neuroprotection", "Anti-cancer", "Cardioprotection", "Nanocarriers", or "Liposomes". The findings demonstrated that Tan IIA possesses a broad array of pharmacological effects including its antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Tan IIA nanoformulations have shown good encapsulation efficiency, sustained release, stability, extended circulation duration, increased accumulation at diseased sites, and improved therapeutic efficacy, leading to improved therapeutic effectiveness for a plethora of disorders. Nanostructured particles provide several benefits in addressing issues such as limited bioavailability and the stability of phytochemicals by overcoming biological barriers. Certainly, the use of nano-drug delivery carriers for plant products is the current trend. Furthermore, the therapeutic applications of these nanoformulations must be studied in humans. Such investigation, as well as thorough evaluation and dosage optimization, may pave the way for Tanshinone IIA's commercial feasibility.