Co-Crystallization Techniques for Improving Nutraceutical Absorption and Bioavailability

Abstract

Nutraceuticals is an umbrella term for therapeutic leads derived from plants, animals and/or microbial species. Being synthesized in nature’s own laboratory a nutraceuticals have structural and functional features for interacting with an array of physiological targets. However, because of this very structural complexity and diversified nature, nutraceuticals often suffer from diminished gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and limited systemic bioavailability. Thus, in-spite of having an obvious edge over synthetic molecules, pharmaceutical applicability of nutraceuticals play second fiddle in the present pharmaceutical prospective. In this regard, co-crystallization of nutraceuticals have evolved as an attractive prospect. Co-crystallization causes stoichiometric non-covalent binding between nutraceutical API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) and a pharmaceutically acceptable co-former creating a single-phase crystalline material. Nutraceutical co-crystals thus created possess excellent absorption and bioavailability attributes. The principal aim of the current chapter is to highlight co-crystallization as the means of nutraceutical ascendancy over toxic synthetic drugs currently dominating the pharmaceutical market. In the current chapter the authors provide a detail exposition on the methods and application of co-crystallization in context of nutraceutical absorption and bioavailability. Herein, we discuss in detail about the constituents, characteristics, mechanism of action and protocol for preparation of nutraceutical co-crystals with relevant references from current and past studies.