Liposomal delivery of natural product: A promising approach in health research

Background: Natural products can exert promising nutritional and medicinal value, and traditionally used in pursuit of health and well-being. Despite having a potential therapeutic effect, natural compounds tend to show limited biological activity due to their environmental-instability, poor solubility, gastric-degradation, uncontrolled-release, poor bioavailability, and unspecific delivery. Therefore, liposomal delivery of natural compounds has been considered as a potential tool to overcome the limitations associated with delivery in in vivo. Scope and approach: Liposomes are attractive and effective nano-carriers for the delivery of natural compounds and pharmaceuticals, which can enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic effect. In this review, we critically discussed the fundamentals and generation-wise chronological liposomal improvements, affecting factors associated with the formation of liposome, and mechanism of cellular internalization. Besides, we discussed the efficiency of liposomal systems for the encapsulation and successful delivery of natural products in treating human diseases and the challenges associated with the liposomal delivery of natural products. Key findings and conclusions: Formulation parameters, i.e. phospholipid type, phospholipid-to-cholesterol ratio, and encapsulated compounds could play a significant role in the liposomal preparation. Studies have shown that liposomal delivery of natural products could significantly increase the protective effect of natural product against cancer, hepato-/neuro-toxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and microbial disease. Further studies concerning the improved liposomal systems and more in vivo studies could shed a light to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds by understanding the physicochemical stability, target mechanisms, cellular internalization and release kinetics.