2015, Pages 217–245
Chapter 10 – Bioavailability of Herbal Products: Approach Toward Improved Pharmacokinetics
Abstract
Herbal
products and their formulations have been prescribed for the cure,
mitigation, and therapy of several ailments associated with human beings
since time immortal. Drugs of natural origin suffer from poor
physicochemical properties, which are related to their poor
pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in the human body diminishing their
therapeutic potency. The application of novel drug delivery systems is
an important approach toward solving the bioavailability-related
problems associated with phytomolecules. Several novel herbal
formulations, namely, liposomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, niosomes,
phytosomes, dendrimers, micro/nanoparticles, micro/nanoemulsions, and
micelles, have been successfully employed for delivery of
phytopharmaceuticals. These novel formulations exhibited notable
advantages compared to conventional formulations like enhancement of
solubility and stability, membrane permeability and bioavailability,
improved pharmacological activity through sustained-release profile, and
reduced toxicity. The present discussion highlights the current status
of pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of herbal drugs and implication
of novel herbal drug delivery technology with special emphasis on
phospholipid-based complex system.
Keywords
- Bioavailability;
- Biological half-life;
- Herbal drug;
- Nanoemulsion;
- Nanotechnology;
- Novel drug delivery system;
- Pharmacokinetics;
- Phospholipid-based complex system;
- Phytopharmaceuticals;
- Phytosome
Acknowledgment
The
authors wish to express their gratitude to Department of Biotechnology,
Govt. of India, New Delhi, for providing financial support through
senior research fellowship to Ranjit K. Harwansh.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
