Abstract: 
Many herbal extracts have excellent in-vitro activity but less in-vivo activity because of their macromolecular size and poor lipid solubility which resulted in poor absorption and bioavailability problems. Some of these challenges could be overcome through the formulation of novel drug delivery systems such as phytosomes. Phytosomes provide better absorption and bioavailability than the conventional herbal extracts. Musa paradisiaca phytosome complexes were formulated and evaluated with the following parameters: Percentage yield, phytochemical screening, morphology, drug content, FTIR, in vitro release studies and in vivo anti-ulcer activity. Results showed that the % yield was 60 % and contains some phyto constituents. Batch A had a significantly higher EE (p < 0.05) in the range of 77.00 ± 1.30 – 93.00 ± 2.80 than others, while the batch B was in the range of 49.00 ± 1.90 – 72.00 ± 1.60.  In batch A, AK1 had a significant highest drug release (p < 0.05) of 85 %, while AK2 had the lowest drug release of 70 %, while in batch B, BC2 had the highest drug release of 65 %.  Musa Paradisiaca phytosome complex formulated with Kolliphor^® HS 15 exhibited more antiulcerogenic activity when compared to the pure extract and standard. Hence, Musa paradisiaca complexes (1:1) formulated with Kolliphor^® HS 15 at 200 mg/kg serves as a potential antiulcer agent with an improved bioavailability than conventional formulations.

Keywords: Musa paradisiaca, Phytosomes, Kolliphor® HS 15, Antiulcer.