ABSTRACT:
The effectiveness of any herbal formulation depends on the delivery of effective concentration of therapeutically active component in blood plasma. Most of the herbal extracts or phytoconstituents, in spite of having excellent in vitro bioactivity but failed to elicit the same in vivo biological response. This is attributed to their poor lipid solubility or high molecular size or degradation of phytoactive destroyed in gastric environment or gut through enzymatic action. Recently, a novel strategy, phytophospholipid complexation method was used to enhance the solubility profile, increase the ability to pass the biological membranes, enhanced the pharmacokinetic profile of phytomedicines and protects the plant constituents from degradation to increase the absorption profile or bioavailabilty of phytomedicines. Further, it is also much relevant to mention that phospholipids show unique compatibility with biological membranes and have inherent hepatoprotective activity. Different methods have been adopted to formulate phospholipids complexes of plant extractives utilizing varying solvent systems, molar ratios of drug/phospholipids and different drying techniques. This review highlights the unique property of phospholipids utilized in drug delivery system , their role as adjuvant in health benefits, and their application in the herbal medicine systems to improve the bioavailability of active herbal components.