Phyto Somes Overview – A novel drug delivery Approach
Phytosomes are one of the novel approaches to tackle the problems associated with low oral bioavailability of plant-based biologically active constituents. The plant extracts have poor oral bioavailability through the oral route and to solve this issue, phytoconstituents are incorporated into phospholipids. Here Phyo – means plant-based and some means cell-like.
Components present in phytosomes: These are the three main components present in phytosomes
- Phytoconstituents
- Phospholipids
- Solvents
Phytoconstituents- Phyto means plant-based, and these are extracted from plants here they are used to improve their bioavailability by incorporating them in phytosomes, some examples of these include flavonoids like quercetin, rutin, terpenoids like turmeric, curcumin and alkaloids.
Phospholipids – we humans, animals and even plants have these. Phospholipids are complex molecules, and these are mainly involved in the formation of cell membrane. There are different types of phospholipids based on the aliphatic chains, polar groups and alcohols present in them. Phospholipids form complex with phytoconstituents to enhance their absorption.
Examples – Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine.
Solvents are used in phytosomes preparation as they help to dissolve both phytoconstituents and phospholipids help in complex formation and some examples of solvents used in phytosomes preparation include ethanol, chloroform, diethyl-ether, methanol.
Preparation methods
These are few preparation methods for your understanding
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- Solvent Evaporation Method: In solvent evaporation method both the phytoconstituents and phospholipids are dissolved using selected solvent and then the mixture is subjected to evaporation under reduced pressure. Here the solvent evaporates leaving the Phyto some complex.
- Anti-Solvent Precipitation Method: In this method dissolve the phytoconstituents in a solvent and add it to a non-solvent in which the phytoconstituents are not soluble, causing precipitation and formation of the complex.
Advantages of Phytosomes
- Enhanced bioavailability
- Improved stability of the phytoconstituents
- Better pharmacokinetic profile compared to other forms of novel delivery systems
- Targeted delivery