1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Gurunanak College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440026, India
2Department of Pharmacology, Gurunanak College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440026, India
3Department of Pharmaceutics, Gurunanak College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440026, India
4Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr. C.V. Raman Institute of Pharmacy, Dr. C.V. Raman University, Kota, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh - 495113, India
*Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Saket Singh Chandel. Email: singhpharma@gmail.com
Received: 26th Dec, 2025; Revised: 18th Feb 2026; Accepted: 22th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 30th March, 2026
Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of multiple ocular disorders, including cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration, primarily through excessive generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent cellular damage. The ocular tissues are particularly susceptible to oxidative injury due to their high metabolic activity and constant exposure to environmental stressors. Traditional medicinal plants native to Central India represents a rich source of bioactive compounds with well-documented antioxidant potential and historical relevance in the management of eye diseases. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of plant-based nanomedicine systems designed to overcome the limitations associated with conventional phytotherapy, such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and limited ocular permeability. Incorporation of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids into nanocarriers including nanoemulsions, liposomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles has demonstrated enhanced stability, improved corneal penetration, and controlled drug release. This review critically examines the integration of ethnopharmacological knowledge with contemporary nanotechnological approaches for the management of oxidative stress-induced ocular conditions. It further discusses formulation strategies, therapeutic potential, and emerging evidence supporting the efficacy of these systems. Additionally, key challenges related to safety, standardization, and clinical translation are addressed. The study underscores the potential of traditional plant-based nanomedicine as a promising and sustainable approach for improving ocular health outcomes.
Keywords: Oxidative Stress, Phytoconstituents, Nanomedicine, Ocular Delivery, Antioxidants
How to cite this article: Manapure SR, Pande VB, Admane PS, Yadav N, Chandel SS. Plant-Based Therapeutics for Ocular Diseases: From Ethnopharmacology to Nanomedicine. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3): 727. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3.81
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None