A comprehensive review on phytosomes as a novel dosage form for herbal medicines

Nowadays, natural remedies are used to treat the majority of prevalent diseases and nutritional issues. Any herbal medication's efficacy depends on the therapeutically active compound being delivered at an effective dosage. Some phytoconstituents like polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds in the herbal medicines are hydrophilic in nature and bigger molecular size. Due to their low lipid solubility and bigger molecular size, a higher dose is needed for therapeutic effect. To solve these difficulties, newly introduced novel dosage form phytosomes, helps to increase effectiveness of herbal medicines. The name phytosomes indicated "cell-like". It is mainly prepared by suspending phospholipid and phytoconstituents/extract in an appropriate solvent. Phytosome technology has been successfully applied to increase the bioavailability, efficacy and nutrition values of numerous well known herbal extracts such as Silybum marianum, Ginkgo biloba, Vitis vinifera, Camellia sinensis, Centella asiatica, Santalum album, Olea europaea and Panax ginseng. This compilation highlighted the methods of preparations, advantages/disadvantages and ccharacterization including complex formation efficiency, particle size analysis, particle surface morphology, surface charge, and molecular interactions of phytosomes. Several cost-effective phytosomes are available in the market, including Ginkoselectm