Phytosomal-Encapsulation of a Herbal Drug for Increasing its Efficacy and Safety

Abstract

PHYTOSOMES are advanced forms of herbal products that are better absorbed, utilized, and as a result produce better achievements than conventional herbal extracts. Phytosomes are produced via a patented process whereby the individual components of a herbal extract are bound to phosphatidylcholine which is one of the chief components of the membranes in our cells. The term "phyto" means plant while "some" means cell-like. The newly created phytosome structures contain the active ingredients of the herb bounded to phospholipids. The phospholipid molecular structure includes a water-soluble head and two fat-soluble tails. Because of this dual solubility, the phospholipid acts as an effective emulsifier. By combining the emulsifying action of the

phospholipids with the standardized botanical extracts, the phytosome form provides dramatically enhanced bioavailability for lipid soluble drugs explained by faster and improved absorption in the intestinal tract. In addition, not all botanical properties are as bioavailable as others, joining them to phospholipids produces an effective medium for increased absorption of the active constituents of the herb. Different vegetal derivatives such as flavonoids, terpenes and saponins formed reversible complexes with the phospholipids. Also,