Phytosomes as an Emerging Nanotechnology Platform for the Topical Delivery of Bioactive Phytochemicals

Abstract

The emergence of phytosome nanotechnology has a potential impact in the field of drug delivery and could revolutionize the current state of topical bioactive phytochemicals delivery. The main challenge facing the translation of the therapeutic activity of phytochemicals to a clinical setting is the extremely low absorption rate and poor penetration across biological barriers (i.e., the skin). Phytosomes as lipid-based nanocarriers play a crucial function in the enhancement of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of herbal-originated polyphenolic compounds, and make this nanotechnology a promising tool for the development of new topical formulations. The implementation of this nanosized delivery system could enhance the penetration of phytochemicals across biological barriers due to their unique physiochemical characteristics, improving their bioavailability. In this review, we provide an outlook on the current knowledge of the biological barriers of phytoconstituents topical applications. The great potential of the emerging nanotechnology in the delivery of bioactive phytochemicals is reviewed, with particular focus on phytosomes as an innovative lipid-based nanocarrier. Additionally, we compared phytosomes with liposomes as the gold standard of lipid-based nanocarriers for the topical delivery of phytochemicals. Finally, the advantages of phytosomes in topical applications are discussed.

Phyto-Phospholipid Conjugated Scorpion Venom Nanovesicles as Promising Carrier That Improves Efficacy of Thymoquinone against Adenocarcinoma Human Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells

“…Nanovesicles are highly promising systems for the delivery and/or targeting of drugs that can help overcome poor absorption and bioavailability of phytochemicals by boosting the penetration through biological barriers [13]. Examples of this include liposome [13], phytosome [14], and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) [15], etc.…”

“…Nanovesicles are highly promising systems for the delivery and/or targeting of drugs that can help overcome poor absorption and bioavailability of phytochemicals by boosting the penetration through biological barriers [13]. Examples of this include liposome [13], phytosome [14], and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) [15], etc. Nanocarriers have a crucial role in preserving bioactive phytochemicals from oxidation and degradation compared to typical phytochemical delivery, and therefore maintaining and increasing their long-term benefits and stability [16,17].…”

“…The phospholipid moiety of the phytosomal nanovesicle is similar in structure to the phospholipids that form the cell membrane (i.e., biological barrier), which can enhance passage through the cell membrane and increase cellular uptake [20]. The incorporation of poorly soluble phytochemicals into the phytosomal delivery system has an important effect on the improvement of their absorption, leading to enhanced penetration and absorption across the biological membrane and better bioavailability [13,21].…”

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges

“…Phytosomes are formed by complexing the active phytocompounds with phospholipids in different ratios; the phytocompounds are bound via hydrogen bonds to the polar moieties of the phospholipids [127]. Their biomedical applications are focused on topical treatments due to their high absorption capacity through the skin, impressive physical stability, and other improvements in skin function, such as increasing hydration, collagen structure, and enzyme balance [128].…”

Lipid-Based Nanovesicular Drug Delivery Systems

“…Phytosomes, as well as transferosomes, exhibit superior dermal penetration properties leading noticeable accumulation in the epidermis and dermis. Since the phytosomes configuration is grounded on the H-bond interaction between the phospholipid molecules' polar moiety and the phytoconstituents, the laded compounds permanence is higher than in other lipid nanovesicles [190]. The numerous and very recent drug delivery applications collected in Table 7 show how phytosome nanotechnology will definitely get more efficient the ways of bioactive phytochemicals therapeutic and aesthetic delivery counteracting the bottlenecks of the low absorption and poor penetration rate across biological barriers improving herbal-originated compounds pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic and assets [190].…”