Liposomes and Nanoliposomes as Potential Nano-Enabled Platforms for Enhanced Bioavailability of Phytoconstituents

Phytoconstituents with therapeutic and healing properties have been in use for centuries worldwide across cultures because of the acclaimed safety profiles. However, it has been shown that many dosage forms of phytoconstituents face some pharmaceutical and biochemical challenges, which may partly be due to some deficiencies of the delivery systems used. This has elicited the interest of formulation scientists to develop delivery systems that would improve among others, the solubility, bioavailability, targetability, safety, stability, and efficacy of these phytoconstituents. Nanotechnology-driven platforms, such as liposomes and nanoliposomes, have emerged as novel platforms for addressing these challenges. Stable liposomes and nanoliposomes, which are nanosized lipid carriers formed by self-assembly of phospholipid molecules in an aqueous environment, stand out because of their ability to encapsulate a broad spectrum of drugs and phytoconstituents. This chapter discusses the scientific exploits involved in the development and utilization of liposomes and nanoliposomes in addressing the lack of effective delivery systems for phytoconstituents. A comprehensive review of liposome and nanoliposome formulation strategies for phytoconstituents together with advances toward bringing them to the market and bedside will be presented. Selected liposomes and nanoliposomes encapsulating plant-derived bioactives will also be highlighted in addition to their future perspectives.