phytosome and liposome: the beneficial encapsulation systems in drug delivery and food application

due to poor solubility in lipids, many of bioactive components (nutraceutical materials) show less bioactivity than optimal state in water solution. phytosomes improve absorption and bioavailability of biomaterials. liposomes, spherical shaped nanocarriers, were discovered in the 1960s by bangham. due to their composition, variability and structural properties, liposomes and phytosomes are extremely versatile, leading to a large number of applications including pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industrial fields. they are advanced forms of herbal formulations containing the bioactive phytoconstituents of herb extracts such as flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids, which have good ability to transit from a hydrophilic environment into the lipid friendly environment of the outer cell membrane. they have better bioavailability and actions than the conventional herbal extracts containing dosage. phytosome technology has increasing effect on the bioavailability of herbal extracts including ginkgo biloba, grape seed, green tea, milk thistle, ginseng, etc., and can be developed for various therapeutic uses or dietary supplements. liposomes are composed of bilayer membranes, which are made of lipid molecules. they form when phospholipids are dispersed in aqueous media and exposed to high shear rates by using micro-fluidization or colloid mill. the mechanism for formation of liposomes is mainly the hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions between phospholipids and water molecules. here, we attempt to review the features of phytosomes and liposomes as well as their preparation methods and capacity in food and drug applications. generally, it is believed that phytosomes and liposomes are suitable delivery systems for nutraceuticals, and can be widely used in food industry.