Recent Approaches in the Development of Phytolipid Complexes as Novel Drug Delivery

The imbalance of hydrophilicity and lipophilicity along with a large molecular size (due to a unique chemical structure) of natural compounds or plant actives poses a significant challenge for their absorption through a biological membrane and thus, alters the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, it is desirable to have a novel approach for such formulation in order to improve the solubility and bioavailability of these phytoconstituents as a phospholipid complexation. Herbal drugs are precisely, embedded and bound by phospholipids to form vesicular structures which are amphoteric in nature. Thus, the phytolipid complex technology is unique, in the respect that it has a higher stability profile owing to its amphoteric nature or owing to its solubility in aqueous as well as oil media. It also exhibits a greater absorption and bioavailability, as the drug molecules are embedded in the pockets of the phytosomal assembly, therefore, with more drug loading capability, protection from the gastric environment, and subsequently inactivation in gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Phytolipid complexes have a great potential in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacological attributes. The present review explores the various aspects of phytolipid complexes concerning the phospholipids, vesicles, choice of ingredients, phytolipid complexation, advantages, preparation methods and their applications.