PHYTOSOME-BASED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS (2002–2021): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF STRUCTURE, MECHANISMS, APPLICATIONS, AND CLINICAL EVIDENCE
Main Article Content
Keywords
Phytosomes, herbal drug delivery, phospholipid complexes, bioavailability enhancement, nanophytosomes, cancer therapy, diabetes, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, topical delivery, cosmeceuticals.
Abstract
Phytosomes, also known as herbosomes or phyto-phospholipid complexes, have emerged over the past two decades as a promising nanotechnology-driven platform for improving the bioavailability and therapeutic performance of herbal actives.[1,2,3] From 2002 to 2021, phytosome technology was extensively explored for enhancing the oral and topical delivery of poorly water-soluble phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and polyphenols.[4,7,9] This review summarizes the key advances in phytosome formulation, characterization, and applications between 2002 and 2021, with emphasis on anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and topical/cosmeceutical delivery.[1,2,3] We discuss the structural fundamentals of phytosome formation, modern preparation and characterization techniques, permeation and pharmacokinetic mechanisms, and preclinical and clinical evidence up to 2021.[4,5,9] Emerging trends include nanophytosomes, targeted and stimuli-responsive systems, and hybrid nanocarriers.[1,3] Despite encouraging results, challenges remain in standardization, scale-up, regulatory harmonization, and long-term safety evaluation.[1,2] By integrating traditional herbal medicine with contemporary pharmaceutical nanotechnology, phytosomes represent a robust strategy to bridge the gap between in-vitro promise and clinical utility over the 2002–2021 period.[3,4]
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Satyanarayan Sen
School of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal
Reenu Yadav
School of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal
