Phytochemicals in Bone Therapy: Exploring Natural Alternatives for Bone Health.

Abstract

Bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are increasingly prevalent, particularly in aging populations. While conventional treatments, including synthetic drugs and mineral supplements, are effective yet often associated with side effects and long-term economic burdens. Active compounds derived from nature, "Phytochemicals" have garnered attention due to their potential to provide safer and more sustainable alternative therapeutic options. However, due to their complex structure and poor pharmacokinetics, their clinical applications are limited. Nano-drug delivery systems address these limitations by developing phytochemical-based nanocarriers, which enable targeted delivery, protect active compounds, and enhance both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Given the limitations of synthetic treatments, there is growing interest in exploring phytochemicals and plants and herbal extracts to support bone health. This review focuses on nano-phytochemical approaches for bone therapy, outlining key phytochemicals, their natural sources, nanoformulations, and mechanisms of action. It also evaluates current commercial supplements and highlights the challenges and future directions for clinical translation of nano-phytomedicine in bone health management.