Overview of phytosomes in treating cancer: Advancement, challenges, and future outlook

Sep 24, 2026

Cancer remains a major global cause of death and continues to challenge current treatments due to limited effectiveness and significant adverse effects from conventional approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Herbal active constituents offer substantial potential, yet their in vivo absorption and bioavailability are often constrained. Phytosomes, a rapidly expanding nanotechnology, are explored as lipid-compatible nanocarriers to enhance miscibility, solubility, permeability, and targeted delivery. This review consolidates recent research on phytosome formulation, characterization, drug-release mechanisms, anticancer phytoconstituents, and future challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

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Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

Background and rationale

Heliyon 9 (2023) e16561 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Heliyon journal [homepage:](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon)[ www.cell.com/heliyon](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon) | Review article
Overview of phytosomes in treating cancer: Advancement, challenges, and future outlook
Sachin S. Gaikwada, b, *, Yogita Y. Moradea, Akshada M. Kothule a, Sanjay J. Kshirsagarb, Umesh D. Laddhab, Kishor S. Salunkhea
a Department of Pharmaceutics, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, At Sahajanandnagar, Post-Shinganapur, TalKopargaon, Dist-Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 423603, India
b Department of Pharmaceutics, MET’s Institute of Pharmacy, Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Adgaon, Nashik 422003, India | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Phytosomes
Cancer therapies Targeted drug delivery Herbal extract Nanocarrier | | One of the major causes of death on the globe is cancer. It has remained a significant obstacle for current therapies and has not yet been effectively treated. Conventional treatment strategies available for cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy etc. have severe adverse effects. The use of herbal active constituents in cancer treatment has tremendous potential to increase the effectiveness of conventional cancer therapy. Natural plant active components have been reported to have strong in vitro pharmacological activity but narrow in vivo absorption. In order to increase their bioavailability and absorption and get around the drawbacks and negative effects of traditional herbal extracts, Phytosomes are one of the growing nanotechnologies that can be used to improve the miscibility of bioactive phytoconstituents in lipid-rich barriers and overcome their poor bioavailability. Many novel drug delivery carriers are employed for targeted delivery of phytoconstituent at the site of action. Phytosomes are well-known biocompatible nanocarriers that can be employed to increase the solubility and permeability of phytopharmaceuticals among various novel drug delivery systems (NDDS). This review mainly focused on various conventional as well as novel approaches and various Nano carrier used in cancer therapies. Also comprising summary of the most recent research on the development and use of phytosomes as a better carrier for herbal constituents in the treatment of cancer. Additionally provides information about the formulation, characterization technique and mechanism of drug release from phytosome. Some of the major herbal active constituents made of phytosome which have shown proven anticancer activity are also studied. Finally, challenges and future perspective related to phytosome in cancer treatment are also discussed. | 1. Introduction The rate of new cancer cases or cancer death rates are increasing in the digital world, and in the coming decades, it is anticipated that the number of people diagnosed with cancer will double, Therefore, to increase their therapeutic potential, there is also an * Corresponding author. Department of Pharmaceutics, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, At Sahajanandnagar, PostShinganapur, Tal-Kopargaon, Dist-Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 423603, India. E-mail address: [sachingaikwad619@gmail.com](sachingaikwad619@gmail.com) (S.S. Gaikwad). [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16561](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16561) Received 7 January 2023; Received in revised form 12 May 2023; Accepted 19 May 2023 Available online 24 May 2023 2405-8440/© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)). increasing need for the creation of more potent anticancer medications from conventional sources [1]. There has been a significant advancement in the creati

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What does the review cover regarding phytosomes in cancer therapy?

It focuses on conventional and novel approaches, nanocarriers used for cancer therapies, summaries of recent phytosome research, and information on formulation, characterization techniques, drug-release mechanisms, anticancer phytoconstituents, and future challenges.

Sep 24, 2026

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