Abstract

RECENT ADVANCEMENT IN PHYTOSOMES –A HERBAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

*Shweta S. Saboo¹, Syeda Sana Rana¹, G.G.Tapadiya²,S.S.Khadabadi¹

Abstract

Phytosomes, term “PHYTO” means plant while “SOME” means celllike. A novel emerging technique applied to phytopharmaceutical for the enhancement of bioavailability of herbal extract for medicinal applications. Since the two major limiting factors for molecules to pass the biological membrane for their absorption in the blood stream mainly includes lipid solubility and molecular sizes. There are many plant extracts having excellent bioactivity in-vitro but low or less invivo because of their poor lipid solubility and improper size of the molecule or both which result in poor absorption and bioavailability of constituents from plant extract and are destroyed in the gastric fluids when taken orally. Phytosomes are recent advanced forms of herbal formulations that have enhanced absorption rate, producing better bioavailability than conventional herbal extracts. Since they have improved pharmacological and pharmacokinetic parameters, they can be used in the treatment of the acute and chronic liver disease. Phytosomes absorption in GIT is greater resulting in increased plasma level than individual component. They act as a bridge between novel delivery system and conventional delivery system. These drug-phospholipids complex can be formulated in the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrup, lotion, gel, cream, aqueous microdispersions, capsule, powder, granules and chewable tablets.

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