Phytosomes: An Advanced Phytochemical Delivery Platform for Enhanced Bioavailability and Therapeutic Performance
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Abstract
Phytosomes are next-generation lipid-compatible delivery systems designed to enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic performance of plant-derived phytochemicals. Although plant-derived compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids exhibit profound therapeutic potential, their clinical translation is often hampered by poor aqueous solubility, limited membrane permeability, gastrointestinal instability, and rapid metabolic degradation. Phytosomal technology circumvents these limitations by forming molecular complexes between phytoconstituents and phospholipids primarily phosphatidylcholine thereby enhancing solubility, membrane integration, systemic absorption, and therapeutic efficacy. This review delineates the structural and functional evolution of phytosomes, detailing their formulation strategies, physicochemical characterization, and mechanistic superiority over conventional herbal extracts and liposomal carriers. Applications span diverse therapeutic domains including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, dermatology, oncology, and metabolic disorders. Consolidated preclinical and clinical data underscore their translational promise. The review also addresses regulatory frameworks, formulation challenges, and strategic directions for scalable implementation.