Jayesh B. Patil,
- Student, Department of Pharmaceutics P.S.G.V.P. Mandals’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Bioenhancers are natural substances that significantly improve the absorption, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of drugs when co-administered, without showing notable pharmacological activity of their own. In herbal medicine, the concept of bioenhancement has received growing attention as many phytoconstituents exhibit low oral bioavailability due to poor solubility, limited permeability, and extensive first-pass metabolism. The traditional Ayurvedic system first introduced this concept through the discovery of Piperine, the active alkaloid from Piper nigrum and Piper longum, which enhances the bioavailability of several herbal and synthetic drugs such as curcumin, resveratrol, and rifampicin. Bioenhancers function through diverse mechanisms including inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes (such as CYP450), stimulation of gastrointestinal blood flow, modulation of intestinal membrane dynamics, and suppression of efflux transporters like P-glycoprotein. Several naturally occurring bioenhancers, including piperine, gingerol, quercetin, allicin, naringin, and glycyrrhizin, have been widely studied for their synergistic effects with herbal drugs. The inclusion of these compounds in herbal formulations not only reduces the required therapeutic dose but also minimizes side effects and enhances patient compliance. Current research focuses on exploring novel bioenhancers from medicinal plants, developing advanced drug delivery systems, and understanding molecular interactions responsible for enhanced pharmacokinetics. The use of bioenhancers thus represents a promising approach to overcome the limitations of herbal therapeutics, making traditional medicines more potent, effective, and scientifically validated.
Keywords: Bioenhancers, Herbal drugs, Bioavailability, Piperine, Phytoconstituents
[This article belongs to Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Formulation, Development and Production ]
Jayesh B. Patil. Bioenhancer to Boost Herbal Drug Efficacy. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Formulation, Development and Production. 2026; 13(02):-.
Jayesh B. Patil. Bioenhancer to Boost Herbal Drug Efficacy. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Formulation, Development and Production. 2026; 13(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjodfdp/article=2026/view=240085
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| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 02 |
| Received | 04/01/2026 |
| Accepted | 10/04/2026 |
| Published | 14/04/2026 |
| Publication Time | 100 Days |
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