Abstract:
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor characterized by cellular and molecular diversity. This diversity presents
significant challenges for treatment and leads to poor prognosis. Surgery remains the primary treatment of choice for
GBMs, but it often results in tumor recurrence due to complex interactions between GBM cells and the peritumoral
brain zone. Phytochemicals have shown promising anticancer activity in in-vitro studies and are being investigated as
potential treatments for various cancers, including GBM. However, some phytochemicals have failed to translate their
efficacy to pre-clinical studies due to limited penetration into the tumor microenvironment, leading to high toxicity.
Thus, combining phytochemicals with nanotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative for treating GBM. This
review explores the potential of utilizing specific nanoparticles to deliver known anticancer phytochemicals directly to
tumor cells. This method has demonstrated potential in overcoming the challenges of the complex GBM microenvironment, including the tight blood–brain barrier while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue. Therefore, employing
this interdisciplinary approach holds significant promise for developing effective phyto-nanomedicines for GBM and
improving patient outcomes.
