Botanical extracts, like curcumin or quercetin, provide many potential health benefits. But many of these unique flavonoids and other plant extracts are poorly absorbed by the body. Read on to discover Thorne’s solution to this problem in order to provide the best, most absorbable forms of 12 unique ingredients.

The solution: More than 100 years ago an Italian company called Indena was founded with the goal of merging science with nature by devising unique botanical extraction methods. Its continued innovations eventually led to the development of the phytosome, with the idea of enhancing the absorption and bioavailability of an otherwise poorly absorbed plant constituent.

How does the phytosome work? 

The extracted botanical constituent is complexed with a fat-soluble phospholipid like phosphatidylcholine from lecithin. This prevents clumping together of either the botanical or the phospholipid. And because cell membranes are comprised of these same fat-soluble phospholipids, it allows the botanical to be ushered across the fat-friendly cell membranes of the GI tract and into the bloodstream.

Take a moment to visualize phytosome technology with this short video. 

Benefits of phytosomes

Phytosomes offer several advantages over standard herbal extracts. Three key benefits are:

  1. Improved absorption for enhanced bioavailability in your body. Each of the phytosomes has been shown to offer enhanced absorption compared to their non-complexed counterpart – the plant constituent alone. The more poorly absorbed an extract is, the greater the difference in absorption between the phytosome and its non-complexed counterpart.
  2. Increased efficacy. Improved absorption means more of the active constituent is available for use by the body. Bottom line: Greater absorption = greater efficacy.
  3. Potentially reduced dosage requirements. Because more of the active compound is absorbed and utilized by the body, the amount of the botanical extract required can be lower but still yield greater efficacy.

Meet the phytosomes in Thorne products

Thorne uses 12 different unique phytosomes in more than 30 different products. While most of them are available as stand-alone products, they also hold hero ingredient positions in many of our multi-ingredient formulas. Let’s meet them all, one on one.

Berberine phytosome (Berbevis®). Berberine is an extract found in several plants, including several Berberis species. The berberine in Thorne products is extracted from Berberis aristata. The phytosome form is found in Berberine (Dual Action Formula). 

An absorption study found 10-times better absorption of berberine when complexed as a phytosome.1

Clinical studies specific to berberine phytosome demonstrate significant support for women with PCOS, a frequent cause of female infertility.2 The research on berberine phytosome found it benefited body composition, abdominal fat, body mass, metabolic measures, skin health, insulin sensitivity, and testosterone balance.*

Read more about berberine phytosome here.

Bergamot phytosome (Vazguard®). Citrus bergamia (bergamot), a citrus tree native to tropical Asia, is now cultivated throughout the Mediterranean, with significant production in southern Italy. The yellow-green bergamot fruit, the size of a small orange, is a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon. 

You might be most familiar with bergamot as an ingredient in Earl Grey tea. The essential oil from the inner peel is mixed with tea leaves, providing Earl Grey tea’s unique floral, citrus aroma and flavor. But it’s the juice of the fruit with its high polyphenol content that’s garnered the most recent attention. 

An absorption study, using the flavonoid naringin as the marker, found 2.5-times better absorption from bergamot phytosome compared with the unbound bergamot extract with the same polyphenol content.3 

The research on bergamot has mainly focused on metabolic support. Studies have shown polyphenol extracts from the juice can benefit healthy lipid, blood sugar, and visceral fat levels. Bergamot has also been shown in clinical trials to promote healthy liver function, clearance of fat from the liver, and a normal balance of liver enzymes.*3,4

You can read more about bergamot phytosome here. Thorne offers bergamot phytosome along with curcumin phytosome in our Metabolic Health product.

Boswellia phytosome (Casperome®). You might have heard of this botanical more often called by its common name frankincense. A study found that, depending on the boswellic acid being measured, plasma levels were 3- to 7-times higher from the phytosome preparation compared to unbound Boswellia.5 

Studies of Boswellia phytosome have shown support for a balanced inflammatory response in the respiratory and GI tracts.*6,7 A study also found it benefited muscle soreness in rugby players.*8 

Thorne offers Boswellia Phytosome as a stand-alone product and in the GI support product EnteroMend®.

CoQ10 (Ubiqsom®). To this point, we have only discussed botanical extracts complexed with phospholipids. But phytosome technology can also be used to improve the absorption of other poorly absorbed nutrients like CoQ10. 

In healthy volunteers, CoQ10 phytosome resulted in 3-times greater absorption compared to non-complexed CoQ10.9 

CoQ10 phytosome is used in Daily Greens Plus and Ovarian Care. You can read more about CoQ10 here.

Curcumin (Meriva®). You’ve most definitely heard of curcumin if you are interested in medicinal herbs. But have you heard of Meriva, curcumin in phytosome form? 

In a randomized, crossover study that compared plasma curcuminoid levels from curcumin phytosome to non-complexed curcumin, the total plasma curcuminoid level after consuming the phytosome preparation was 29-times higher than the non-complexed curcumin.10

Curcumin phytosome has been the subject of more than 30 clinical studies, making it the most clinically studied form of absorption-enhanced curcumin on the market. That is why Thorne has three stand-alone Curcumin Phytosome products and includes it in 10 additional formulas.

Ginkgo phytosome (Virtiva® Plus). Virtiva Plus complexes Ginkgo specifically with phosphatidylserine for double the cognitive support.* A study comparing Ginkgo bound to phosphatidylcholine (PC) and unbound Ginkgo with the same Ginkgo extract bound to phosphatidylserine (PS) found significantly better reaction time for mental tasks with the PS complex, but not with the unbound or PC-complexed formulas.11

Ginkgo phytosome can be found in the unique nootropic formula Memoractiv. You can learn more about Memoractiv here.

Grape seed phytosome (Leucoselect®). Grape seed phytosome is a concentrated proanthocyanidin extract bound to phospholipids and is among one of the earlier phytosomes developed by Indena. Several studies have demonstrated the potent antioxidant effects of this complex,* including one in which healthy volunteers took the extract with a fatty meal, preventing signs of oxidative stress normally seen after such a meal.12

Thorne offers Grape Seed Extract as a stand-alone and, in addition, as a potent antioxidant addition to the MediClear detox suite. Read more about the health benefits of grape seed extract here.

Green tea phytosome (GreenSelect® Phytosome). Polyphenols, including EGCG and other catechins, are extracted from decaffeinated green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) and complexed with phospholipids.

An absorption study in 12 healthy volunteers compared green tea phytosome to the exact green tea extract not complexed with phospholipids. Blood levels over six hours in the phytosome group were twice the levels found in the non-complexed group.13

Green tea supports thermogenesis (fat burning) in the body.* A study comparing two groups, one assigned a low-calorie diet and the other a low-calorie diet plus green tea phytosome found only the group taking the phytosome showed significant benefits for weight management.14

Thorne offers Green Tea Phytosome as a stand-alone; in addition, it is included in six other products. 

Luteolin phytosome. Luteolin is a flavonoid found in many plants including hrysanthemum, the source of luteolin Thorne uses. This ingredient, although provided by Indena, does not have a patented name because it was prepared specifically for Thorne. 

An absorption study on a non-Indena created phytosome found luteolin bound to phosphatidylcholine yielded a 3.54-fold higher plasma luteolin concentration compared to non-phytosome luteolin.15

Luteolin is a flavonoid with a similar structure to sex hormones like testosterone – which allows it to bind to the same receptors, supporting a healthy ratio of testosterone to estrogen.* That is why it is included in Thorne’s Advanced Testosterone Support.

Melissa phytosome (Relissa®). Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is provided as a phytosome for, you guessed it, enhanced absorption. Melissa supports a good mood and a sense of well-being.* Much of the research and use of lemon balm focuses on its potential to decrease anxious feelings.*16 

Melissa phytosome is provided as a part of the adaptogen blend in Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus.

Milk thistle phytosome (Siliphos®). Silybum marianum (milk thistle) contains unique flavonoids, the most potent of which is silybin. Milk thistle phytosome is silybin bound to phospholipids and was the first phytosome developed by Indena.

The absorption of Siliphos has been the subject of several studies. One short-term, one-dose study and a following two-week study in the same health volunteers found 4.6-times greater absorption with the phytosome versus the same non-complexed silybin.17 

The enhanced bioavailability and efficacy of milk thistle phytosome for liver support are extensively reviewed by Kidd and this author.*18

Thorne offers Siliphos as a stand-alone in addition to S.A.T® – a complex of artichoke with milk thistle and curcumin phytosomes.

Quercetin phytosome (Quercefit®). Quercetin, a flavonoid found in many foods, is notorious for its poor absorption. Thorne is the company that first suggested Indena create it as a phytosome. 

In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, quercetin phytosome demonstrated 20-times better absorption than unbound quercetin.19

Quercetin is a potent antioxidant and provides broad ranging nutritional support for healthy aging, individuals with seasonal allergies, exercise recovery, and immune support.* You can read more about these benefits and view the references in 4 Reasons to Love Quercetin here at Take 5 Daily.

Quercetin Phytosome is offered as a stand-alone, complexed with bromelain in Quercetin Complex, and in six other unique formulas.

Looking to the future

The Thorne family of phytosomes is ever-expanding as we explore the use of Indena’s wide array of phytosome ingredients. One of my favorite Thorne phytosome formulas is the unique, plant-based antioxidant PolyResveratrol-SR, which, in addition to resveratrol and pterostilbene, contains three phytosomes – curcumin, green tea, and quercetin.

References

  1. Petrangolini G, Corti F, Ronchi M, et al. Development of an innovative berberine food-grade formulation with an ameliorated absorption: in vitro evidence confirmed by healthy human volunteer pharmacokinetic study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021;2021:7563889. 
  2. Rondanelli M, Riva A, Petrangolini G, et al. Berberine phospholipid is an effective insulin sensitizer and improves metabolic and hormonal disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a one-group pretest-post-test explanatory study. Nutrients 2021;13(10):3665. 
  3.  Mollace V, Sacco I, Janda E, et al. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia 2011;82(3):309-316. 
  4. Rondanelli M, Peroni G, Riva A, et al. Bergamot phytosome improved visceral fat and plasma lipid profiles in overweight and obese class I subjects . . . : A randomized placebo controlled trial. Phytother Res 2021;35(4):2045-2056. 
  5. Husch J, Bohnet J, Fricker G, et al. Enhanced absorption of boswellic acids by a lecithin delivery form (phytosome) of Boswellia extract. Fitoterapia 2013;84:89-98.
  6. Ferrara T, De Vincentiis G, Di Pierro F. Functional study on Boswellia phytosome as complementary intervention… . Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2015;19(19):3757-3762.
  7. Pellegrinin L, Milano E, Franceschi F, et al. Managing… usefulness of Casperome®, an innovative lecithin-based delivery system of Boswellia serrata extract. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2016;20(12):2695-2700.
  8. Franceschi F, Togni S, Belcaro G, et al. A novel lecithin based delivery form of Boswellic acids (Casperome®) for the management of osteo-muscular pain: a registry study in young rugby players. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016;20(19):4156-4161. 
  9. Petrangolini G, Ronchi M, Frattini E, et al. A new food-grade coenzyme Q10 formulation improves bioavailability: single and repeated pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers. Curr Drug Deliv. 2019;16(8):759-767. 
  10. Cuoma J, Appendino G, Dern A, et al. Comparative absorption of a standardized curcuminoid mixture and its lecithin formulation. J Nat Prod 2011;74:664-669.
  11. Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Mauri PL, Scholey AB. Acute cognitive effects of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract complexed with phosphatidylserine. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2007;22(4):199-210.
  12. Natella F, Belelli F, Gentili V, Ursini F, Scaccini C. Grape seed proanthocyanidins prevent plasma postprandial oxidative stress in humans. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(26):7720-7725. 
  13. Pietta P, Simonetti P, Gardana C, et al. Relationship between rate and extent of catechin absorption and plasma antioxidant status. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998;46(5):895-903. 
  14. Di Pierro F, Menghi AB, Barreca A, et al. Greenselect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial. Altern Med Rev. 2009;14(2):154-160.
  15. Hindarto CK, Surini S, Saputri FC, Irawan C. In vivo evaluation of luteolin-loaded phytosome. Pharma Innov J 2017;6(11):347-349.
  16. Ghazizadeh J, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Marx W, et al. The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) . . . : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res 2021;35(12):6690-6705. 
  17. Barzaghi N, Crema F, Gatti G, et al. Pharmacokinetic studies on IdB 1016, a silybin- phosphatidylcholine complex, in healthy human subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1990;15(4):333-338. 
  18. Kidd P, Head K. A review of the bioavailability and clinical efficacy of milk thistle phytosome: a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (Siliphos). Altern Med Rev. 2005;10(3):193-203. 
  19. Riva A, Ronchi M, Petrangolini G, et al. Improved oral absorption of quercetin from Quercetin Phytosome®, a new delivery system based on food grade lecithin. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2019;44(2):169-177.