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Fundamental differences exist between a Phytosome^® and a liposome. In liposomes, the active principles are water soluble and are hosted in the inner cavity, with little, if any, interaction taking place between the hydrophilic principle and the surrounding lipid core. Conversely, Phytosome^®s host their polyphenolic guest, generally little soluble both in water and in lipids, at their surface (Figure 1), where the polar functionalities of the lipophilic guest interact via hydrogen bonds and polar interactions with the charged phosphate head of phospholipids, forming a unique arrangement that can be evidenced by spectroscopy^(1-8). 

Fig. 1. Major differences between a Phytosome^® and a Liposome.

The Phytosome^® formulation also increases the absorption of active ingredients when topically applied on the skin^(9-17), and improves systemic bioavailability when administered orally^(18-22). In water medium, a Phytosome^® will assume a micellar shape, forming a spherical structure, overall similar to a liposome, but with a different guest localization. 

 

1. Semalty A, et al, Supramolecular phospholipids–polyphenolics interactions: The PHYTOSOME® strategy to improve the bioavailability of phytochemicals, Fitoterapia (2009).
2. Bombardelli E, Curri SB, Gariboldi P. Gariboldi, cosmetic utilization of complexes of Panax ginseng saponins with phospholipids in PHYTOSOME^® form. Fitoterapia 1989;60:55–70 [Suppl. to issue N.1].
3. Bombardelli E. Phytosome^®: new cosmetic delivery system. Boll Chim Farma 1991;130:431–8.
4. Bombardelli E, Cristoni A, Morazzoni P. Phytosome^®s in functional cosmetics. Fitoterapia 1994;65:387–401.
5. Bombardelli E, Curri SB, Della Loggia R, Del Negro P, Tubaro A, Gariboldi P. Anti-inflammatory activity of 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid in PHYTOSOME^® form. Fitoterapia 1989;60:29–37 [Suppl. to issue N.1]. 
6. Bombardelli E, Della Loggia R,Del Negro P, Tubaro A, Gariboldi P, Piergentili A, et al. Topical antiinflammatory activity of complexes of escin and sterols with phospholipids. Part I. Fitoterapia 1989;60:39–44 [Suppl. to issue N.1]. 
7. Gabetta B, Zini GF, Pifferi G. Spectroscopic studies on IdB 1016, a new flavolignan complex. Planta Med 1989;55:615. 
8. Bombardelli E, Spelta M. Phospholipid–polyphenol complexes: a new concept in skin care ingredients. Cosmet Toilet 1991;106:69–76.
9. Bombardelli E, Curri SB, Gariboldi P. Gariboldi, cosmetic utilization of complexes of Panax ginseng saponins with phospholipids in PHYTOSOME® form. Fitoterapia 1989;60:55–70 [Suppl. to issue N.1]. 
10. Bombardelli E (Indena S.p.A.). Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing complexes of flavanolignans with phospholipids. Patent EP0300282B1, 1992. 
11. Bombardelli E, Patri G, Pozzi R (Indena S.p.A.). Complexes of saponins and their aglycons with phospholipids and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing them. Patent US5166139, 1992. 
12. Bombardelli E, Patri G (Indena S.p.A.). Complex compounds of bioflavonoids with phospholipids, their preparation and use, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing them. Patent EP0275005B1, 1993. 
13. Bombardelli E, Patri G, Pozzi R (Indena S.p.A.). Complexes of saponins with phospholipids and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing them. Patent EP0283713B1, 1993. 
14. Bombardelli E, Sabadie M (Indena S.p.A.–Sanofi S.A.). Phospholipidic complexes of Vitis vinifera extracts, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing them. Patent EP0300282B1, 1993. 
15. Di Pierro F (Indena S.p.A.). Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions against skin aging. Patent EP0283713B1, 1993.
16. Bombardelli E, Cristoni A, Morazzoni P. Phytosome®s in functional cosmetics. Fitoterapia 1994;65:387–401.
17. Bombardelli E, Patri G, Pozzi R (Indena S.p.A.). Complexes of neolignan derivatives with phospholipids the use thereof and pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations containing them. Patent EP0464297B1, 1995. 
18. Barzaghi N, Crema F, Gatti G, Pifferi G, Perucca E. Pharmacokinetic studies on IdB 1016, a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex, in healthy human subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1990;15:333–8. 
19. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ, Giachetti C, Zanolo G. Comparative bioavailability of silipide, a new flavolignan complex, in rats. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1992;17:39–44. 
20. Morazzoni P, Montalbetti A, Malandrino S, Pifferi G. Comparative pharmacokinetics of silipide and silymarin in rats. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1993;18:289–97.
21. Maiti K, Mukherjee K, Gantait A, Ahamed HN, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK. Enhanced therapeutic benefit of quercetin–phospholipid complex in carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats: a comparative study. Iran J Pharmacol Ther 2005;4:84–90. 
22. Marczylo TH, Verschoyle RD, Cooke DN, Morazzoni P, Steward WP, Gescher AJ. Comparison of systemic availability of curcumin with that of curcumin formulated with phosphatidylcholine. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2007;60:171–7.