Overcoming the Limitations of Natural Compounds Through Lipid-Based Delivery Platforms: The Promise of Liposomes

Natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol and other polyphenols, exhibit biologically significant antimicrobial, anticancer and antioxidant activities, making them promising candidates for drug development. These bioactive compounds have been applied in the management of chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. However, their clinical application is severely hindered by physicochemical limitations, such as poor aqueous solubility, rapid metabolism, and limited bioavailability. Lipid-based delivery systems, particularly liposomal delivery platforms, offer a strategy for addressing these barriers. Liposomes are lipid-bilayer vesicles whose safety and biocompatibility depend on formulation composition, surface modification, dose, administration route, impurities and formulation-specific biological interactions, including potential toxicity and immune reactions. Depending on their composition and design, liposomes can provide controlled release, biodegradability and opportunities for surface modification to support targeted delivery. Their performance relative to other carriers depends on the encapsulated compound, administration route and intended application. A key feature of liposomes is their ability to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, allowing them to carry a wide range of molecules. This review critically examines liposomal formulation strategies for natural compounds, distinguishing improvements in physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics from preclinical biological activity and demonstrated clinical benefit. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in liposomal formulations of curcumin, resveratrol and other polyphenols, along with insights into their biomedical applications.