Green synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of chitin glucan based zinc oxide nanoparticles and its curcumin conjugation

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

Over the last decade, biomedical nanomaterials have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable biological properties and diverse applications in biomedicine. Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly notable for their wide range of medicinal uses, including antibacterial, anticancer, biosensing, cell imaging, and drug/gene delivery. Among these, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs stand out for their versatility and effectiveness. Recently, ZnO NPs have become a primary material in various sectors, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, antimicrobials, construction, textile, and automotive industries. ZnO NPs can generate reactive oxygen species and induce cellular apoptosis, thus underpinning their potent anticancer and antibacterial properties. To meet the growing demand, numerous synthetic approaches have been developed to produce ZnO NPs. However, traditional manufacturing processes often involve significant economic and environmental costs, prompting a search for more sustainable alternatives. Intriguingly, biological synthesis methods utilizing plants, plant extracts, or microorganisms have emerged as ideal for producing ZnO NPs. These green production techniques offer numerous medicinal, economic, environmental, and health benefits. This review highlights the latest advancements in the green synthesis of ZnO NPs and their biomedical applications, showcasing their potential to revolutionize the field with eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions.

Curcumin-loaded polymeric nanomaterials as a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as a formidable challenge in modern medicine, characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and memory impairment. Despite extensive research, effective therapeutic strategies remain elusive. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties of curcumin, found in turmeric, have demonstrated promise. The poor bioavailability and rapid systemic clearance of this drug limit its clinical application. This comprehensive review explores the potential of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanomaterials as an innovative therapeutic avenue for AD. It delves into the preparation and characteristics of diverse polymeric nanomaterial platforms, including liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles. Emphasis is placed on how these platforms enhance curcumin's bioavailability and enable targeted delivery to the brain, addressing critical challenges in AD treatment. Mechanistic insights reveal how these nanomaterials modulate key AD pathological processes, including amyloid-beta aggregation, tau phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The review also highlighted the preclinical studies demonstrate reduced amyloid-beta plaques and neuroinflammation, alongside improved cognitive function, while clinical trials show promise in enhancing curcumin's bioavailability and efficacy in AD. Additionally, it addresses the challenges of clinical translation, such as regulatory issues, large-scale production, and long-term stability. By synthesizing recent advancements, this review underscores the potential of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanomaterials to offer a novel and effective therapeutic approach for AD, aiming to guide future research and development in this field.

A Study on the Antibacterial, Antispasmodic, Antipyretic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract from Jasminum sambac (L. Aiton)

The green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plants has grown in significance in recent years. ZnO NPs were synthesized in this work via a chemical precipitation method with Jasminum sambac (JS) leaf extract serving as a capping agent. These NPs were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, and DTA. The results from UV-vis and FT-IR confirmed the band gap energies (3.37 eV and 3.50 eV) and the presence of the following functional groups: CN, OH, C=O, and NH. A spherical structure and an average grain size of 26 nm were confirmed via XRD. The size and surface morphology of the ZnO NPs were confirmed through the use of SEM analysis. According to the TEM images, the ZnO NPs had an average mean size of 26 nm and were spherical in shape. The TGA curve indicated that the weight loss starts at 100 °C, rising to 900 °C, as a result of the evaporation of water molecules. An exothermic peak was seen during the DTA analysis at 480 °C. Effective antibacterial activity was found at 7.32 ± 0.44 mm in Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and at 15.54 ± 0.031 mm in Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria against the ZnO NPs. Antispasmodic activity: the 0.3 mL/mL sample solution demonstrated significant reductions in stimulant effects induced by histamine (at a concentration of 1 µg/mL) by (78.19%), acetylcholine (at a concentration of 1 µM) by (67.57%), and nicotine (at a concentration of 2 µg/mL) by (84.35%). The antipyretic activity was identified using the specific Shodhan vidhi method, and their anti-inflammatory properties were effectively evaluated with a denaturation test. A 0.3 mL/mL sample solution demonstrated significant reductions in stimulant effects induced by histamine (at a concentration of 1 µg/mL) by 78.19%, acetylcholine (at a concentration of 1 µM) by 67.57%, and nicotine (at a concentration of 2 µg/mL) by 84.35%. These results underscore the sample solution's potential as an effective therapeutic agent, showcasing its notable antispasmodic activity. Among the administered doses, the 150 mg/kg sample dose exhibited the most potent antipyretic effects. The anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized NPs showed a remarkable inhibition percentage of (97.14 ± 0.005) at higher concentrations (250 µg/mL). Furthermore, a cytotoxic effect was noted when the biologically synthesized ZnO NPs were introduced to treated cells.

Recent advances in the antioxidant activity of metal-curcumin complexes: a combined computational and experimental review

Curcumin, an extensively studied phytochemical compound, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic applications across a spectrum of diseases. Its notable attributes include its relatively high tolerability within the human body and its perceived absence of adverse side effects. This review article presents a comprehensive overview of the antioxidant effects exhibited by complexes formed by curcumin and curcumin derived ligands with metals like Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ga and In, which leads to toxic effects beyond a certain limit, based on both experimental and theoretical findings. Additionally, the discussion delves into metal-curcumin complexes characterized by stoichiometries of 1:1 and 1:2, exploring their geometric arrangements and corresponding antioxidant activity, as highlighted in recent studies. These complexes hold the promise of improving curcumin's solubility, stability, and bioavailability, potentially augmenting its overall therapeutic potential and expanding its scope for medical applications.

In silico design and mechanistic study of niosome-encapsulated curcumin against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

Curcumin, an important natural component of turmeric, has been known for a long time for its antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm action of the niosome-encapsulated curcumin and explore the involved anti-biofilm mechanism. In silico investigations of ADME-Tox (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) were first performed to predict the suitability of curcumin for pharmaceutical application. Curcumin showed low toxicity but at the same time, low solubility and low stability, which, in turn, might reduce its antimicrobial activity. To overcome these intrinsic limitations, curcumin was encapsulated using a biocompatible niosome system, and an encapsulation efficiency of 97% was achieved. The synthesized curcumin-containing niosomes had a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 178 nm. The niosomal curcumin was capable of reducing multi-drug resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus biofilm 2-4-fold compared with the free curcumin. The encapsulated curcumin also demonstrated no significant cytotoxicity on the human foreskin fibroblasts. To understand the interaction between curcumin and S. aureus biofilm, several biofilm-related genes were analyzed for their expression. N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (IcaD), a protein involved in the production of polysaccharide intercellular adhesion and known to play a function in biofilm development, was found to be downregulated by niosomal curcumin and showed high binding affinity (-8.3 kcal/mol) with curcumin based on molecular docking analysis. Our study suggests that the niosome-encapsulated curcumin is a promising approach for the treatment of MDR S. aureus biofilm and can be extended to biofilms caused by other pathogens.

Synthesis of a light-responsive platinum curcumin complex, chemical and biological investigations and delivery to tumor cells by means of polymeric nanoparticles

Platinum-based anticancer drugs are common in chemotherapy, but problems such as systemic toxicity and acquired resistance of some tumors hamper their clinical applications and therapeutic efficacy. It is necessary to synthesize Pt-based drugs and explore strategies to reduce side effects and improve pharmacokinetic profiles. Photo-responsive chemotherapeutics have emerged as an alternative strategy against several cancers, as photoactivation offers spatial selectivity and fewer side effects. Here, we combine chemical synthesis and nanotechnology to create a multifunctional platinum drug delivery system based on the novel metal complex [Pt(ppy)(curc)] (ppy = deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine, curc = deprotonated curcumin)] embodying the naturally occurring bioactive molecule, curcumin. The ultrasonication method coupled with the layer-by-layer technology was employed to produce nanocolloids, which demonstrated a good biocompatibility, higher solubility in aqueous solution, stability, large drug loading, and good biological activity in comparison with the free drug. In vitro release experiments revealed that the polymeric nanoformulation is relatively stable under physiological conditions (pH = 7.4 and 37 °C) but sensitive to acidic environments (pH = 5.6 and 37 °C) which would trigger the release of the loaded drug. Our approach modifies the bioavailability of this Pt-based drug increasing its therapeutic action in terms of both cytotoxic and anti-metastasis effects.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared through microbial mediated synthesis for therapeutic applications: a possible alternative for plants

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized through biogenic methods have gained significant attention due to their unique properties and potential applications in various biological fields. Unlike chemical and physical approaches that may lead to environmental pollution, biogenic synthesis offers a greener alternative, minimizing hazardous environmental impacts. During biogenic synthesis, metabolites present in the biotic sources (like plants and microbes) serve as bio-reductants and bio-stabilizers. Among the biotic sources, microbes have emerged as a promising option for ZnO-NPs synthesis due to their numerous advantages, such as being environmentally friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Various microbes like bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and yeast can be employed to synthesize ZnO-NPs. The synthesis can occur either intracellularly, within the microbial cells, or extracellularly, using proteins, enzymes, and other biomolecules secreted by the microbes. The main key advantage of biogenic synthesis is manipulating the reaction conditions to optimize the preferred shape and size of the ZnO-NPs. This control over the synthesis process allows tailoring the NPs for specific applications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, and more. Some potential applications include drug delivery systems, antibacterial agents, bioimaging, biosensors, and nano-fertilizers for improved crop growth. While the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs through microbes offers numerous benefits, it is essential to assess their toxicological effects, a critical aspect that requires thorough investigation to ensure their safe use in various applications. Overall, the presented review highlights the mechanism of biogenic synthesis of ZnO-NPs using microbes and their exploration of potential applications while emphasizing the importance of studying their toxicological effects to ensure a viable and environmentally friendly green strategy.

Assessment of Various Food Proteins as Structural Materials for Delivery of Hydrophobic Polyphenols Using a Novel Co-Precipitation Method

In this study, sodium caseinate (NaCas), soy protein isolate (SPI), and whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as structural materials for the delivery of rutin, naringenin, curcumin, hesperidin, and catechin. For each polyphenol, the protein solution was brought to alkaline pH, and then the polyphenol and trehalose (as a cryo-protectant) were added. The mixtures were later acidified, and the co-precipitated products were lyophilized. Regardless of the type of protein used, the co-precipitation method exhibited relatively high entrapment efficiency and loading capacity for all five polyphenols. Several structural changes were seen in the scanning electron micrographs of all polyphenol-protein co-precipitates. This included a significant decrease in the crystallinity of the polyphenols, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, where amorphous structures of rutin, naringenin, curcumin, hesperidin, and catechin were revealed after the treatment. Both the dispersibility and solubility of the lyophilized powders in water were improved dramatically (in some cases, >10-fold) after the treatment, with further improvements observed in these properties for the powders containing trehalose. Depending on the chemical structure and hydrophobicity of the tested polyphenols, there were differences observed in the degree and extent of the effect of the protein on different properties of the polyphenols. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated that NaCas, WPI, and SPI can be used for the development of an efficient delivery system for hydrophobic polyphenols, which in turn can be incorporated into various functional foods or used as supplements in the nutraceutical industry.

Novel zinc oxide nanoparticles of Teucrium polium suppress the malignant progression of gastric cancer cells through modulating apoptotic signaling pathways and epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Management of gastric cancer is still challenging due to resistance to current chemotherapeutics and recurrent disease. Moreover, green- synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using natural resources are one of the most promising therapeutic agents for anticancer therapy. Here we report the facile green synthesis and characterization of ZnO-NPs from Teucrium polium (TP-ZnO-NP) herb extract and the anticancer activities of these nanoparticles on gastric cancer cells. Facile green synthesis of TP-ZnO-NP was achieved using zinc acetate dihydrate. For the characterization of TP-ZnO-NP, UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, XRD and EDX analyses were performed. Antiproliferative and anticancer activities of TP-ZnO-NP were explored using the HGC-27 gastric cancer cell line model. MTT cell viability and colony formation assays were used for the analysis of cell proliferation and migration. Wound healing assay was used to analyze the migration capacities of cells. Annexin V/PI double staining, DNA ladder assay, and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide staining were performed to analyze the induction of apoptosis. qPCR was used to determine gene expression levels of apoptotic and epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker genes. The aqueous extract of TP served as both a reducing and capping agent for the successful biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Remarkably, synthesized TP-ZnO-NPs were found to have significant antiproliferative and anticancer activities on HGC-27 gastric cancer cells. Collectively, current data suggest that TP-ZnO-NP is a novel and promising anticancer agent for future therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer.

Investigation of antioxidant, anti-ulcer, and analgesic potential of a metal-curcumin complex

The goal of the current study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-ulcer, and analgesic properties of a metal-curcumin complex (MCC) utilizing different mouse and rat models. The antioxidant component of the analysis was completed in vitro, whereas the other activities were completed in vivo. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging test, the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay were used to measure the antioxidant activity. MCC demonstrated potent radical scavenging abilities. In all three experiments, Trolox served as the reference substance. When curcumin's radical scavenging abilities were compared, it became clear that MCC was a superior radical scavenger. Using the ethanol-induced technique on Sprague-Dawley rats, the anti-ulcerogenic effect was assessed. It shows that at an oral dosage of 100 mg/kg body weight, MCC might provide gastroprotection (b.w.). Additionally, we have examined MCC's potential as an analgesic. Swiss albino mice were used to measure the analgesic activity of MCC using the hot plate technique. At an oral dosage of 50 mg/kg b.w., MCC displayed analgesic efficacy. As a result, MCC could be useful in the management of inflammatory diseases.

Biogenic synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles mediated from Borassus flabellifer (Linn): antioxidant, antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens, and photocatalytic degradation activity with molecular modeling

Borassus flabellifer leaf extract has been used for rapid biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) due to rich source of bioactive compounds. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were preliminarily confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy adsorption peak range at 365 nm. The XRD (X-ray diffraction) confirms purity of ZnO-NPs that were crystalline in nature. The analysis of FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) confirms the presence of the following functional group such as alcohol, phenols, carboxylic acids, primary amides, secondary amides, and alkyl halide. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) analysis indicated that ZnO-NPs were in spherical shape, followed by EDX analysis which confirmed the presence of Zn-element. Antimicrobial effect of ZnO-NPs was investigated using different clinical pathogens like bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, and Penicillium expansum which confirmed ZnO-NPs efficiency as an antimicrobial agent. ZnO-NP antimicrobial efficiency was observed in higher zone of inhibition at 50 μg/mL concentrations. Antioxidant activity was ascertained to be used for several biomedical applications. The ZnO-NPs efficiently degraded the environmental toxic dyes (methylene blue and crystal violet) under sunlight, and up to 95% higher degradation was achieved in both dyes. In support of photo light degradation, the study was progressed to understand the ZnO-dye interaction stability using molecular mechanism, and it shows efficient bonding features in the NPs environment. Overall, this investigation has great potential for being an effective and eco-friendly material used in environmental applications.

Zinc-curcumin based complexes in health and diseases: An approach in chemopreventive and therapeutic improvement

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound isolated from turmeric rhizome, displays antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-microbial, antiviral, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, immune boosting and other chemopreventive and therapeutic properties. However, the efficacy of curcumin is confined due to its aqueous insolubility, instability, low intestinal absorption, poor bioavailability, and systemic elimination. Therefore, to overcome these issues and enhance pharmacological activities of curcumin, a complex of curcumin with metals such as zinc have been synthesized. Curcumin acts as a ligand and forms a stable complex with zinc. In this review, the improved protective, and therapeutic activities of zinc-curcumin complexes are discussed. Zinc-curcumin conjugates have exhibited enhanced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties. Zinc-curcumin complexes have also displayed hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and osteogenesis efficacy. These protective and therapeutic efficacies of zinc-curcumin conjugates were associated with modulation of multiple molecular mechanisms including decreased inflammatory cytokines, increased antioxidant enzymes, quenched free radicals, decreased blood glucose levels, decreased insulin resistance, induced apoptosis markers, and restored function of tumor suppressor protein p53 in cancer cells. Overall, applications of zinc-curcumin complex could be a new approach against various diseases and could also be helpful in improvement of health.

Innovative Bacterial Removal Technique Using Green Synthetic Nano Curcumin Zinc (II) Complex for Sustainable Water Resource Management

Sustainable management of water resources is a daunting challenge, especially with respect to microbes. This study primarily focused on the development of a novel application for the removal of specific bacterial groups in different water types using a green synthetic nano Cur-Zn(II) complex. The results of UV and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques suggested the formation of a chelation complex. Proton NMR showed that the main enolic proton peak with a chemical shift of 16.45 nm identified in curcumin was missed, indicating the contribution of carbonyl oxygen of enol in the formation of the complex. The crystalline nature of the complex and Wurtzite structure of annealed products was inferred from the XRD analysis data. SEM results confirmed the complex’s morphology as spherical and clustered with a rough surface, having an average particle size of 68.2 nm. In addition, the complex was observed to be stable up to 300 °C without any decomposition from STA. Being acidic in nature with a pH of 5.36, the complex penetrates into the cell membrane and inhibit microbial growth. Intrinsically, no studies have been reported for the removal of microbes from water using natural materials embedded with inorganic metals, particularly in nano form. Therefore, the study is the first, innovative, eco-friendly, and economical method to use nano Cur-Zn(II) for removing targeted bacteria in real water samples with 100% efficiency by using optimized amounts (0.025–0.2 g/L) of the complex at a contact time interval between 4 and 24 h. The complex developed is toxic-free and can be applied in situ.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Eucalyptus lanceolata leaf litter: characterization, antimicrobial and agricultural efficacy in maize

In the present study, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) using Eucalyptus lanceolatus (leaf litter) extract was explored after characterization with UV spectrophotometery, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, X-ray diffraction and TEM studies. ZnO NPs stability was ensured with - 32.1 mV zeta potential, while TEM showed ZnO NP as hexagonal structure (100 nm). In vitro antimicrobial activity showed potential of ZnO NP against pathogens causing diseases in maize plants. Both in vitro and in vivo studies of ZnO NP and ZnSO4 (200 ppm and 400 ppm) over a two year period (2019, 2020) were conducted on Zea mays L. var. PG2458. ZnO NP seed priming improved seed vigor index, germination percentage, shoot and root length and fresh biomass. Foliar application improved stem diameter and leaf surface area. Physiological status was relatively better, while reproductive attributes got altered to guide resource allocation for better cob growth and biomass with ZnO NP. Leaf, cob, grain and total Zn was maximum for 200 ppm ZnO NP. Translocation of Zn from leaf to cob and cob to grain was faster for ZnO NP compared to ZnSO4. Higher concentration (400 ppm) of ZnO NPs and ZnSO4 proved phytotoxic for plant growth attributes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01136-0.

Metal-Curcumin Complexes in Therapeutics: An Approach to Enhance Pharmacological Effects of Curcumin

Curcumin, an active component of the rhizome turmeric, has gained much attention as a plant-based compound with pleiotropic pharmacological properties. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the health-promoting utility of curcumin is constrained due to its hydrophobic nature, water insolubility, poor bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and systemic elimination. Therefore, an innovative stride was taken, and complexes of metals with curcumin have been synthesized. Curcumin usually reacts with metals through the β-diketone moiety to generate metal–curcumin complexes. It is well established that curcumin strongly chelates several metal ions, including boron, cobalt, copper, gallium, gadolinium, gold, lanthanum, manganese, nickel, iron, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, silver, vanadium, and zinc. In this review, the pharmacological, chemopreventive, and therapeutic activities of metal–curcumin complexes are discussed. Metal–curcumin complexes increase the solubility, cellular uptake, and bioavailability and improve the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects of curcumin. Metal–curcumin complexes have also demonstrated efficacy against various chronic diseases, including cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. These biological activities of metal–curcumin complexes were associated with the modulation of inflammatory mediators, transcription factors, protein kinases, antiapoptotic proteins, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes. In addition, metal–curcumin complexes have shown usefulness in biological imaging and radioimaging. The future use of metal–curcumin complexes may represent a new approach in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

Curcumin Nanoformulations with Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

In the past few decades, curcumin, a natural polyphenolic phytochemical, has been studied for treating a wide variety of diseases. It has shown promising results as a potential curative agent for a variety of diseases. However, its inherent limitations, such as poor aqueous solubility, poor absorbability, fast metabolic rate, and quick elimination from the body, have limited its application beyond preclinical studies. A huge number of studies have been made to address the issues of curcumin and to maximally utilize its potentials. Many review articles have tried to assess and summarize different nanocarriers, especially organic nanocarriers, for nanoformulations with curcumin. Nevertheless, few exclusive reviews on the progress in nanoformulation of curcumin with inorganic nanomaterials have been made. In this review, we present an exclusive summary of the progress in nanoformulation of curcumin with metal oxide nanoparticles. The beneficial feature of the metal oxide nanoparticles used in the curcumin nanoformulation, the different approaches followed in formulating curcumin with the metal oxides, and the corresponding results, protective effect of curcumin from different metal oxide caused toxicities, and concluding remarks are presented in the review.

Progress in Natural Compounds/siRNA Co-delivery Employing Nanovehicles for Cancer Therapy

Chemotherapy using natural compounds, such as resveratrol, curcumin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide, doxorubicin, and camptothecin, is of importance in cancer therapy because of the outstanding therapeutic activity and multitargeting capability of these compounds. However, poor solubility and bioavailability of natural compounds have limited their efficacy in cancer therapy. To circumvent this hurdle, nanocarriers have been designed to improve the antitumor activity of the aforementioned compounds. Nevertheless, cancer treatment is still a challenge, demanding novel strategies. It is well-known that a combination of natural products and gene therapy is advantageous over monotherapy. Delivery of multiple therapeutic agents/small interfering RNA (siRNA) as a potent gene-editing tool in cancer therapy can maximize the synergistic effects against tumor cells. In the present review, co-delivery of natural compounds/siRNA using nanovehicles are highlighted to provide a backdrop for future research.