Zhengguang Zhang,1,2,* Min Li,3,* Xiaolong Zhang,4,* Fuqiong Zhou1 

1Central Laboratory, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Oncology, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 4The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Zhengguang Zhang; Fuqiong Zhou, Email zhengguangzhang@njucm.edu.cn; zhoufuqiong@njucm.edu.cn

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) encompass a diverse group of chemically reactive molecules or ions distinguished by their substantial oxidative potential. Empirical studies have shown that the targeted administration of high toxic concentrations of ROS can effectively induce tumor cell death in various types. Numerous bioactive ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), recognized for their ROS-inducing properties, have demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity. Nonetheless, their clinical application has been hindered by challenges such as low solubility, limited bioavailability, and poor selectivity. Multifunctional nanoformulations possess the potential to overcome these challenges and enhance the anticancer efficacy of ROS-inducing active compounds. Through extensive searches of various academic databases and a thorough review and screening of relevant literature, this study aims to systematically summarize and generalize multiple active ingredients in TCM that induce ROS generation, along with their multifunctional nanoformulations, from various perspectives. The objective is to provide new insights and references for fundamental cancer research and clinical treatments. Furthermore, we acknowledge that although numerous active ingredients and their nanoformulations in TCM have demonstrated ROS-inducing and anti-tumor potentials, potentially offering novel strategies for tumor therapy, the underlying mechanisms require further comprehensive investigation.

Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine, nanoformulation, reactive oxygen species, cancer