Challenges and Prospects of Nano-Phytomedicine in Anxiety and Depression Management

Delivering therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders is a complex process as there is involvement of blood brain barrier which prevents the entry of unwanted substances in the brain. Various therapeutic regimens are available showing effectiveness in mental health management but they show adverse effects and hence the conjugation of nanotechnology-based approaches with medicinal plants or phytomedicine have gained interest as phytochemicals are naturally abundant, and show lesser adverse effects than pharmacological regimens, also provide promising targeted delivery to the brain. Researchers have used nanotechnology approaches to encapsulate the herbal or phytomedicine so that the stability and bioavailability can be increased. Nanotechnology-based phytomedicine approaches have shown efficacy in crossing the blood brain barrier easily and increasing the concentration of therapeutics in the brain. This chapter provides a detailed overview on the role of nano phytomedicine in the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as depression and anxiety along with various phytochemicals showing neuroprotective properties and various challenges faced with implementing those in mental health management.