Recent Trends in Phytosome Nanocarriers for Improved Bioavailability and Uptake of Herbal Drugs

Abstract

Phytopharmaceuticals or herbal drugs have a significant therapeutic impact on healthcare systems. Though herbal extracts and their active constituents show excellent pharmacological in vitro effects, they still have indigent in vivo biological effects because of their considerable molecular weight and low lipid solubility, leading to low systemic availability. Phytosome is a novel approach for overcoming the drawbacks of conventional delivery methods of herbal actives. The phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine, form a bond with herbal extracts or actives, forming a herb-lipid complex. The encapsulation of herbal actives with phospholipid allows an effective tool for the delivery to the affected area with enhanced pharmacological effect. Moreover, the amphiphilic nature of the phospholipid provides a good hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, thereby improving a better dissolution profile in the lipid-rich membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. This review focuses on the various phytosome nanocarriers to improve herbal medication bioavailability and uptake—recent trends in their industrial applicability, and applications in clinical management for various diseases, including other challenges.

Keywords

• drug delivery
• nanocarrier
• nanoliposome
• phytoconstituents
• phospholipid
• phosphatidylcholine