An Insight into the Use of Phytosomes and Nanogels as Potential Candidates for Drug Delivery
摘要
Nanotechnology is an emerging technology used in pharmaceutical research and pharmaceutical industries, especially for increasing solubility, absorption, bioavailability, and stability. Nanoparticles in suspension and nanodroplets in emulsion are usually used in novel drug delivery systems. Combination of gel and emulsion, especially when the droplet size is in the nano range, is the most suitable drug delivery system because of its size and polymer used. Phytosomes are vesicular structures formed by the hydrogen bond between the hydrophilic end of phospholipids and phytoconstituents of plant materials. Nanoemulgel is formed by combining emulsion and gel after converting them into nanosize, mostly below 300 nm. This chapter provides formulation design, structural characteristics, and therapeutic applications of both nanogel and phytosomes. Comparative analysis reveals that nanogels excel in targeted, controlled, and triggered release applications, particularly in wound healing, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and localized therapies, while phytosomes provide solution for improving the pharmacokinetic profiles of bioactive phytochemicals. These nanocarrier systems increase bioavailability, provide stability, and facilitate to cross blood-brain barrier, thereby increasing the therapeutic potential with minimal cytotoxicity. Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that have various biological activities and health benefits. Although phytochemicals have diverse therapeutic applications, they confront several challenges, such as poor solubility, instability, and low bioavailability. Phytosomes are used to overcome those challenges. The phytosome is a complex of phytochemicals and phospholipids that transports the drug to the target site, thereby increasing phytochemical absorption and bioavailability. This study focuses on phytosome preparation methods and evaluation parameters, as well as the role of phytosomes in various ailments such as COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, migraine, arthritis, obesity, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, along with their neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hyperlipidemic, and antimicrobial effects, which demonstrates phytosome complexes are more potent when compared to free extracts. Due to poor absorption and metabolism, phytoconstituents may not be effective in their free form. Phytosomes make phytoconstituents more bioavailable, stable, and effective. It also discusses recent formulations of phytosomes that can act as an effective or alternative regimen for various health conditions.