DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 12-20

In the recent days, most of the prevailing diseases and nutritional disorders are treated with natural medicines. Several plant extracts and phyto constituents, despite having excellent bioactivity in vitro demonstrate less or no in vivo actions due to their poor lipid solubility or improper molecular size or both, resulting in poor absorption and bioavailability. So, much work has been directed towards the development of new concept in herbal delivery system i.e., ―phytosomes‖ which are better absorbed, utilized and as a result produce better results than conventional herbal extracts. Phytosomes often known as herbosomes. The term ―phyto‖ means plant while ―some‖ means cell-like. Phytosomes are little cell like structure. Phytosome is composed of phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine, producing a lipid compatible molecular complex with other constituents. Phytosomal complexes were first investigated for cosmetic applications. But PHYTOSOME process was developed and petended by Indena, a leading supplier of nutraceutical ingredients like milk thistle, ginkgo biloba, grape seed, green tea, hawthorn, ginseng etc. Recently, green tea and one of its active components EGCG has received attention from major supplement brands for weight management supplements. Phytosomes are superior to liposomes due to Complex formation ratio of component and phospholipids is 2:1 and 1:1 respectively, much better absorption and stability profile. Phytosome is anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant. In experimental animal models it improved resistance to atherosclerotic lesion development, enhanced a protective prostaglandin, and protected ventricular heart pump muscle against damage from circulatory deprivation. Development of phytosomes is at the budding stages in India and abroad. It has a lot of potential in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics