Review on: Polymeric Nanoparticles for Hypertension Management: Improvements in Antihypertensive Drug Delivery and Emerging Herbal Nanoformulation

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major therapeutic challenge in which inadequate drug exposure, poor bioavailability, and the requirement for repeated administration may limit the effectiveness of conventional antihypertensive therapy. Polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as an attractive strategy for improving drug delivery and therapeutic performance.

Objective: This review evaluates the development of polymeric nanoparticle-based systems for hypertension, with particular emphasis on synthetic antihypertensive drugs and naturally derived bioactive compounds.

Methods: Relevant studies reported in the literature were critically examined with respect to polymeric materials, nanoparticle preparation techniques, particle characteristics, drug or bioactive loading, release behavior, pharmacological outcomes, and reported limitations. Particular attention was given to chitosan, PLGA, PLA, Eudragit®, and related polymeric systems.

Results: Polymeric nanoparticles have been investigated for hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, captopril, valsartan, amlodipine, ramipril, nebivolol, and antihypertensive peptides, with several studies demonstrating improved entrapment, sustained release, and enhanced antihypertensive effects. Emerging evidence for natural products, including curcumin, copaiba oil, isoliensinine, and Acurí oil, further demonstrates the potential of nanotechnology to improve the therapeutic performance of plant-derived bioactives.

Conclusion: Despite encouraging progress, research remains predominantly focused on synthetic drugs and isolated phytoconstituents. Standardized whole-herbal-extract-loaded polymeric nanoparticles remain comparatively underexplored. Future research should therefore prioritize standardized botanical materials, formulation optimization, pharmacokinetic and toxicity evaluation, long-term stability, scalable manufacturing, and well-designed in-vivo studies to facilitate clinical translation.