Recent Trends of Phytosomes for Delivering Herbal Extract with Improved Bioavailability

In the recent days, most of the prevailing diseases and nutritional disorders are treated with natural medicines. The effectiveness of any herbal medication is dependent on the delivery of effective level of the therapeutically active compound. But a severe limitation exists in their bioavailability when administered orally or by topical applications. Phytosomes are recently introduced herbal formulations that are better absorbed and as a result produced better bioavailability and actions than the conventional phyto molecules or botanical extracts. Phytosomes are produced by a process whereby the standardized plant extract or its constituents are bound to phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine producing a lipid compatible molecular complex. Phytosome exhibit better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile than conventional herbal extracts. The present review represents the recent advances and applications of various standardized herbal extract phytosomes as a tool of drug delivery. Keyword: Herbal extracts; Bioavailability; Phytosomes; Herbal Drug delivery.