The phytoconstituents, especially polyphenolic and flavonoids, have various
pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, antiobesity as well as cardioprotective. The polar nature and high
molecular weight of these phytoconstituents would limit the rate of permeation through
biological membrane and solubility, therefore, leading to a decrease in their
bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. The bioavailability of polyphenolic compounds
can be improved by integrating them into the phospholipid-based self-assembled
delivery systems, which are referred to as phytosomes or herbosomes. Phytosomes are
vesicles in which the phospholipids bond with the hydrogen in the polyphenolic
components to deliver the drugs to the targeted site without their metabolism. The
present chapters discuss the preparation, properties, characterization, application,
various dosage forms, and marketed formulations of the phytosomes.
Keywords: Characterization, Phytosomes, Polyphenol, Preparation.