This document discusses phytosomes, which are herbal extracts bound to phospholipids. They have improved absorption over traditional herbal extracts due to better bioavailability. Phytosomes are prepared through a reaction between phospholipids and active plant constituents. They have various advantages over liposomes and traditional extracts, including stronger effects, lower dosing needs, and protection of actives. Common phytosomes discussed are made from milk thistle, grape seed, green tea, and curcumin. Phytosomes show promise for delivering herbal medicines due to their improved properties.

1. Phytosomes : Preparation & Application
 PRESENTED BY: SURAJ MANDAL
 M. PHARM ( IInd SEM )
 ROLL NO : 1820156510

2. Contents..
• Definition
• Method of Preparation
• Difference Between Liposome and Phytosome
• Advantages of Phytosomes
• Properties of Phytosomes
• Applications of Phytosomes

3. Phytosome
• The term “phyto” means plant while “some” means cell-
like. Phytosomes are little cell like structure. This is
advanced forms of herbal formulations which contains the
bioactive phytoconsituents of herb extract surrounds and
bound by a lipid. Most of the bioactive constituents of
phytomedicines are water-soluble compounds like
flavonoids, glycosides.
• Because of water soluble herbal extract and lipophilic outer
layer phytosomes shows better absorption and as a result
produce better bioavailability and actions than the
conventional herbal extracts containing dosage form.

4. Preparation of Phytosome
 Phytosomes are prepared by reacting 3-2 moles or preferably 1 mole of
phosphatidylcholine with 1 mole of active phytoconstituents mostly the
flavonoids and the terpenoids in an aprotic solvent such as dioxane or
acetone from which complex can be isolated by precipitation with non
solvent such as aliphatic hydrocarbons or by lyophilization or by spray
drying. In the phyto-phospholipid complex formation the ratio
between these two components is in the range of 0.5-2 moles. The most
preferable ratio of phospholipid to phytoconstituents is 1:1.
 Spectroscopic techniques reveal’s that the molecules of the
phytoconstituents are bonded to phospholipid moiety by means of a
chemical bond.

5. Difference between Liposome and
phytosome Phytosome
Phytosome
 In phytosome, the phosphatidyl-
choline and the plant components
actually form a 1:1 or a 2:1 molecular
complex depending on the substance(s)
complexes.
 Phytosome involves chemical bonds.
 Phytosome are much better absorbed
than liposomes showing better
bioavailability.
Liposome
 A liposome is formed by mixing a water
soluble substance with
phosphatidylcholine in definite ratio
under specific conditions.
 Here, no chemical bond is formed; the
phosphatidylcholine molecules surround
the water soluble substance.
 Bioavailability of liposomes is less than
phytosomes.

7. Advantages of Phytosomes
It enhances the absorption of lipid insoluble polar
phytoconstituents through oral as well as topical route
showing better bioavailability, hence significantly greater
therapeutic benefit.
As the absorption of active constituent(s) is improved, its
dose requirement is also reduced.
Phosphatidylcholine used in preparation of phytosomes,
besides acting as a carrier also acts as a hepatoprotective,
hence giving the synergistic effect when hepatoprotective
substances are employed.
Chemical bonds are formed between phosphatidylcholine
molecule and phytoconstituent, so the phytosomes show
better stability profile.
Added nutritional benefit of phospholipids.

8.  It assures proper delivery of drug to the respective tissues.
 The nutrient safety of the herbal extracts need not be
compromised by conveying the herbal drug as means of
phytosomes.
 Entrapment efficiency is high and more over predetermined
because drug itself is in conjugation with lipids in forming
vesicles.
 There is no problem in drug entrapment while formulating
phytosomes.
 Phytosomes are also superior to liposomes in skin care
products.
Advantages of Phytosomes (contd.)

9. Properties of Phytosomes
Chemical Properties
 Phytosomes is a complex between a natural product and natural
phospholipids.
 The phytosome complex is obtained by reaction of suitable
amounts of phospholipid and the substrate in an appropriate
solvent such as glycerol.
 The main phospholipid-substrate interaction is due to the
formation of hydrogen bonds between the polar head of
phospholipids (i.e. phosphate and ammonium groups) and the
polar functionalities of the substrate.
 When treated with water, phytosomes assumes a micellar shape
forming liposomial-like structures.

10. Biological Properties
 Phytosome are advanced forms of herbal products that are
better absorbed, utilized and as a result produce better
results than conventional herbal extracts.
 Phytosomes are lipophilic substances with definite melting
point, freely soluble in non-polar solvents, and moderately
soluble in fats.
 Phytosomes can accommodate the active principle that is
anchored to the polar head of the phospholipids, which
finally becomes an integral part of the membrane.
 The increased bioavailability of the phytosome over the
non complexed botanical derivatives has been
demonstrated by pharmacokinetics studies or by
pharmacodynamic tests in experimental animals and in
human subjects.

11. Application of Phytosomes
Silymarin Phytosome
 Most of the phytosomes are focused to Silybum marianum
which contains premier liver-protectant flavonoids.
 The fruit of the milk thistle plant (S. marianum, Family
Steraceae) contains flavonoids known for hepato-protective
effects.
 Silymarin has been shown to have positive effects in treating
liver diseases of various kinds, including hepatitis, cirrhosis,
fatty infiltration of the liver (chemical and alcohol induced fatty
liver) and inflammation of the bile duct. Silymarin Phytosome
Phytosomes of grape seed •
 Grape seed phytosome is composed of oligomeric polyphenols
of varying molecular size complexed with phospholipids.
 The main properties of procyanidin flavonoids of grape seed are
an increase in total antioxidant capacity and stimulation of
physiological defenses of plasma.

12. Application of Phytosomes (contd.)
Phytosome of green tea
 Green tea leaves (Theasinensis) is characterized by presence of a
polyphenolic compound epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate as the key
component.
 These compounds are potent modulators of several biochemical process
linked to the breakdown of homeostasis in major chronic-degenerative
diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis.
 Green tea also furnishes us with a number of beneficial activities such as
antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, hypocholesterolemic,
cardioprotective effects.
Phytosomes of curcumin
 Maiti et al. developed the phytosomes of curcumin (flavonoid from
turmeric, Curcuma longa linn) and naringenin (flavonoid from grape,
Vitis vinifera).
 Phytosome of naringenin produced better antioxidant activity than the
free compound with a prolonged duration of action

13. References
1. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN
PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY (www.ijrpc.com)
2. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Drug Research (www.ijpsdr.com)