A REVIEW ON GENESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOSOMES

摘要

Phytosomes, often known as herbosomes are recently introduced in herbal formulations that exhibits better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile than conventional botanical extracts. They are produced by a process whereby the standardized plant extract or its constituents are bound to phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine producing a lipid compatible molecular complex, the major molecular building block of cell membranes and a compound miscible in both water and in oil or lipid environments. This technique makes phytosomes unique in character as potential to act as a chaperon for polyphenolics, shuttling them through biological membranes. This article apart from providing information regarding the advantages and physiochemical properties of phytosomes, gives various simple research techniques in the preparation and its optimisation. A market survey of various commercial phytosome preparations limelights this article. Apart from phytosomes this article briefs other members of the family of “Somes”, which could be the area of scope for many industrialists, researchers and academicians.