Harnessing nanotechnology for improving the druggability of opium poppy-derived pharmaceutical benzylisoquinoline alkaloids: A review

Abstract

The boom in using phytoconstituents for diseases treatment has been fueled by growth in the realm of nanotechnology. This is because nanomedicines not only expand the therapeutic applications of phytochemicals but also refine their physicochemical properties. Among multitude natural compounds prescribed for the treatment of health-related conditions are benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). The BIAs predominantly found in opium poppy constitute morphine, noscapine, sanguinarine, papaverine, thebaine, and codeine, with a long history of applications in healing numerous diseases. However, they have problems regarding bioavailability, release, and targeting, which limit their druggability. Integration into nanoparticles has been found to hold great promise for improving the pharmaceutical properties of BIAs, while simultaneously mitigating their potential toxicity. Therefore, this review devotes special focus to recent studies demonstrating a considerable refinement in BIA therapeutic efficacy via the implementation of nanoencapsulation technology. However, the nanoformulations may pose the challenges of cost-efficiency, standard compliance, stability, and safety issue, necessitating further investigations to clear these drawbacks. We also discuss the capability of artificial intelligence (AI), organs-on-a-chip, and carrier-free nanoparticles for toxicity and efficacy assessment and druggability improvement, respectively. Taken together, information present here provides valuable insight into the power of nanoparticles for enriching BIAs and ultimately facilitating their clinical translation.