Review on phytosomes: A novel drug delivery system

Abstract

The term “Phyto” means plant and “some” means cell  It is also mentioned as herbosomes this is a new patented technology, where standardized plant extracts or water soluble phytoconstituents are complexed with phospholipids to produce lipid compatible molecular complexes, there by greatly increasing absorption and bioavailability. The recent development and conducted works of various researchers have been studied thoroughly to establish the transdermal route as a potential way to deliver phytoconstituents. Plant derived products or plant extracts are increasingly receiving attention as dietary supplements for the homeostatic management of inflammation, toxicities, cancers, weight loss and other chronic or acute degenerative disorders. But these products frequently face stability and bioavailability problems. Plant products after their isolation become prone to instability and are potentially unfit to cross the bio membrane as such. The phytosome technique reduces these tasks to reasonable extents. The phytosome or Herbosome technique increases the hydrophilicity of highly lipophilic drug there by making it suitable for drug delivery and increases the lipophilicity of hydrophilic phytoconstituents adequately to cross biological membrane. The topical application of phytosomes for cosmetic purpose has already been proven. This review also contains a comparative account of liposomes and phytosomes along with recent advancements in the field of phytosome technology with a special concern to transdermal drug delivery. The poor oral bioavailability of polyphenolic compound can be enhanced through the incorporation of them into phospholipid based self-assembled delivery system, i.e. popularly known as phytosome. There are number of products available in the market that contains phytosomal drug delivery system such as Ginkgo biloba, Silybum marianum, and Camellia sinensis.