Nanoaggregates of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serve as the core vehicle for elucidating the pharmacological basis of TCM formulations and their “multi-component, multi-target” mechanisms of action. This review systematically reviews the latest research advances on the formation mechanisms, influencing factors, characterization techniques and targeted delivery applications of TCM nanoaggregates, and analyzes the current challenges and future prospects of this research field. Studies have shown that TCM nanoaggregates can self-assemble spontaneously through non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions. Their particle size, morphology and structural characteristics significantly affect the solubility, stability and bioavailability of drugs. Targeted delivery is the core advantage of TCM nanoaggregates. It enables the precise enrichment of drugs at lesion sites through passive targeting and active targeting strategies, thereby achieving the goal of toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement. Nevertheless, this field still faces challenges such as complicated preparation processes and insufficient evaluation of stability and safety. Future studies should further elucidate the formation mechanisms and optimize the evaluation system, providing novel perspectives and technical support for the interpretation of the material basis of TCM efficacy and the modernization development of traditional Chinese medicine.

traditional Chinese medicine nanoaggregates  /  self-assembly  /  formation mechanism  /  targeted delivery  /  modernization of traditional Chinese medicine