Phytosomes

Phytoconstituents, in modern time phytosomes are being increase the level of natural remedies. It is recently introduced system to have used as a novel drug delivery. However nowadays it has been developed into the most well-turned and self assembled system to raise the oral bioavailability of phyto-drugs. That generally recognized as phytosomes. Phytoconstituents have a benignant moderation between hydrophilic and lipophilic in nature molecules which is helps in breakdown of gastro-intestinal sap to pass the lipid rich bio-membrane of cells. It can just be achieved as a result of phytosomes technique. But the delivery of herbal drugs is turn into the challenges owing to reduced aqueous dissolubility, poor permeations and foremost metabolite rate. Therefore, phytosome works as linkage for retain the efficiency toward develop the incorporation of numerous well-liked herbal drugs. E.g. - Ginkgo biloba, grape seeds, green tea etc. it can merely be evolved for a variety of remedial use.

Development of amphiphilic drug-lipid complexes is a potential approach for improving delivery of the drugs by increasing solubility, release profile and oral bioavailability. Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, shows several biological effects like capillary protectant, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, cardio-protective, anti-thrombotic and neuroprotective, but its use is limited due to its low aqueous solubility. To overcome this limitation, phospholipid complex of Rutin was developed to improve its aqueous solubility for better absorption through the gastrointestinal tract and this might result in improved bioavailability. The Rutin phytosomes prepared by solvent evaporation method using different ratios of Rutin and Soybean phosphatidylcholine (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) was evaluated for percentage yield, compatibility studies by infra-red spectroscopy, particle size, poly dispersity index, zeta potential, drug content and were found to be within the acceptable range. Surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy, solubility studies, in-vitro drug release and stability studies also were carried out. The phospholipid complex of Rutin was found to be fluffy and porous with rough surface. The water solubility of Rutin was improved from 0.058mg/ml to 0.475 mg/ml in the prepared Phytosomes. The in-vitro drug release studies showed that there is no drug release from pure drug and F1 formulation up to 120min in acidic buffer pH 1.2; while in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 showed releases about 49.3% and 92.85% respectively, which indicates the significant enhancement of dissolution of Rutin phytosomes compared to pure drug. Stability studies suggested that the formulations were stable. In this study, Phytosomes could be successfully tailored for Rutin with improved dissolution characteristics which is promising for lowering the influence of exogenous factors and increasing drug delivery.

Phytosomes are recently introduced herbal formulations that are better absorbed, and as a result produce better bioavailability and actions than the conventional phytomolecules or botanical extracts. This is an advanced form of herbal formulations which contains the bioactive phytoconstituents of herbal extract bounded in a lipophilic carrier. Phytosome technology has been effectively used to enhance the bioavailability of many popular herbal extracts and phytoconstituents including Ginkgo biloba, milk thistle, grape seed, green tea, hawthorn, ginseng etc and can be developed for various therapeutic uses or dietary supplements.