A REVIEW ON PHYTOSOMES, THEIR CHARACTERIZATION, ADVANCEMENT & POTENTIAL FOR TRANSDERMAL APPLICATION

The objective of this review is to focus on the application of phytosome technology along with its preparation, various properties and characterization. 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 biomembrane as such. Some plant products show hydrophobicity and their delivery to systemic circulation is a quite difficult task. The phytosome technique reduces these tasks to reasonable extents. Phytosomes or herbosomes are lipid compatible molecular complexes produced by interaction of standardized plant extracts and phospholipids with a stoichiometric ratio, having better stability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profile. 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 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. Key words: Phytosomes, phospholipids, bioavailability, topical route, transdermal drug delivery