Natural compounds-based nanomedicines for cancer treatment: Future directions and challenges Natural compounds have shown promise in cancer treatment, but their physical/chemical instability, poor solubility, and low bioavailability limit their effectiveness. Nanotechnology has emerged as a solution to these challenges by improving the delivery and targeting of natural compounds. Nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanocarriers, lipid nanocarriers, and naturally derived nanovesicles, have been developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds. These nanocarriers can improve drug solubility, increase bioavailability, and reduce toxicity. Polymeric nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles (PNs), polymeric micelles (PMs), and dendrimers, have been shown to enhance the delivery of anticancer drugs to cancer cells. Lipid nanocarriers, including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and liposomes, have also been explored for their ability to deliver poorly water-soluble compounds. Naturally derived nanovesicles, such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microvesicles, have gained attention for their potential in cancer treatment due to their natural origin and biocompatibility. These nanovesicles can deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells and modulate the tumor microenvironment. Passive and active targeting strategies have been developed to improve the delivery of nanomedicines to cancer cells. Passive targeting relies on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, while active targeting involves the use of ligands to bind to receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. Despite the potential of these nanomedicines, challenges remain in terms of clinical translation, including the need for standardized protocols, regulatory approval, and the development of scalable and reproducible methods. The future of natural compounds-based nanomedicines for cancer treatment lies in overcoming these challenges and improving the efficacy and safety of these therapies.Natural compounds-based nanomedicines for cancer treatment: Future directions and challenges Natural compounds have shown promise in cancer treatment, but their physical/chemical instability, poor solubility, and low bioavailability limit their effectiveness. Nanotechnology has emerged as a solution to these challenges by improving the delivery and targeting of natural compounds. Nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanocarriers, lipid nanocarriers, and naturally derived nanovesicles, have been developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds. These nanocarriers can improve drug solubility, increase bioavailability, and reduce toxicity. Polymeric nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles (PNs), polymeric micelles (PMs), and dendrimers, have been shown to enhance the delivery of anticancer drugs to cancer cells. Lipid nanocarriers, including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and liposomes, have also been explored for their ability to deliver poorly water-soluble compounds. Naturally derived nanovesicles, such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microvesicles, have gained attention for their potential in cancer treatment due to their natural origin and biocompatibility. These nanovesicles can deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells and modulate the tumor microenvironment. Passive and active targeting strategies have been developed to improve the delivery of nanomedicines to cancer cells. Passive targeting relies on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, while active targeting involves the use of ligands to bind to receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. Despite the potential of these nanomedicines, challenges remain in terms of clinical translation, including the need for standardized protocols, regulatory approval, and the development of scalable and reproducible methods. The future of natural compounds-based nanomedicines for cancer treatment lies in overcoming these challenges and improving the efficacy and safety of these therapies.