Natural Phospholipids & Lecithins

Key lipid excipients valued for emulsification, bioavailability and advanced drug delivery across pharmaceutical and nutraceutical systems

Lecithin is a complex natural mixture of phospholipids and other lipid components like triglycerides, glycolipids & fatty acids. They typically contain minimum of 50% polar lipids, which are the active ingredients of lecithin & impart to it properties making them ideal for various healthcare applications.

Phospholipids are lipids containing phosphorus, a polar head and nonpolar tails. They are essential lipids of biological membranes. They have an amphiphilic character & a unique property of self assembly. The most prominent phospholipid is Phosphatidylcholine (PC).

The most common sources of natural Phospholipids & Lecithins are soybean, sunflower, egg & milk (dairy). Phospholipids play functional roles in various health segments. Based on their properties, phospholipids are used as emulsifiers, wetting agents, solubilizers, liposomal & lipid nanoparticle agents.

Understanding Phospholipids

Cells are surrounded by a bilayer of polar lipids called Phospholipids
They are most essential lipids of all biological membranes
Classified by US FDA as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS), natural (non chemical) origin
Diverse applications

Biochemical Significance

Play an important role for signal transduction cascades in nerve cells
High propensity as drug carriers and excellent biocompatibility
Used for therapeutic agents who have poor bioavailability, rapid clearance and toxic effects
Phospholipid based drug delivery systems have proved to be more efficient and provide appropriate systemic effect
They act as surface-active wetting agents in pleura and alveoli of lung, pericardium, joints etc.

Aid in Formulation Development

Emerging platform for drug delivery due to their amphiphilic character
Facilitate the absorption of drugs
Improves the bioavailability of drugs
For drugs with poor solubility and permeability (BCS class III, IV)
Improves the physical characteristics resulting into more convenient and effective functionalized product for the consumer
Reduces toxic effects of drugs

Physiological Properties

They assemble the circulating lipoproteins, which mainly transport lipophilic triglycerides and cholesterols through blood
Together with cholesterols and bile acids form mixed micelles to enhance absorption of fat soluble substances in gallbladder

Toxic Effects

Classified by US FDA as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) at all concentrations
Natural (non chemical) origin
Non Genetically Modified (non-GMO) and non-allergen grades available
Phospholipid based drug delivery systems have proved to be more efficient and provide appropriate systemic effect