Synergism in Nutraceutical Formulations
subject: Bioactive synergy; Bioavailability; Functional foods; Nanocarriers; Nutraceuticals; Pharmacokinetic enhancement
description: Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds or functional foods consumed to sustain nutrition and support disease prevention. Derived from nutrition and pharmaceuticals, the concept merges food science with therapeutic potential. Synergism in nutraceutical formulations arises when two or more bioactive agents interact to produce enhanced pharmacological or physiological outcomes that surpass the sum of their individual effects. This principle addresses key challenges of monotherapy: poor bioavailability, limited target specificity, and rapid metabolic degradation by enabling multicomponent, mechanistically complementary formulations. Recent innovations such as nano-encapsulation and codelivery systems further enhance absorption, stability, and efficacy of synergistic blends. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of molecular and formulation-based synergism in nutraceuticals, focusing on mechanistic interactions, formulation challenges, and future directions toward supernutraceuticals that integrate advanced bioengineering and traditional dietary wisdom. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
creator: Gobinath, Mirunalini; Mukherjee, Sagarika; Almoselhy, Rania I. M.; Siddiqui, Mohd Aftab; Usmani, Afreen; Rajendran, Rajakumari; Thomas, Sabu; Bihani, Manisha
source: Handbook of Nutraceuticals: Science, Technology and Engineering;pp.625-648
publisher: Springer Nature
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISBN: 978-303198791-5; 978-303198790-8;
language: English
type: Book chapter
coverage: Gobinath M., Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmacy, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Tamil Nadu, Ooty, India; Mukherjee S., Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmacy, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Tamil Nadu, Ooty, India; Almoselhy R.I.M., Oils and Fats Research Department, Food Technology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt; Siddiqui M.A., Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India; Usmani A., Department of Pharmacology, MESCO Institute of Pharmacy, Amroha, India; Rajendran R., The Oxford College of Pharmacy, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Thomas S., Center of Excellence in Polymeric Materials for Medical Practice Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, TrEST Research Park, Kerala, Trivandrum, India, School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, Kottayam, India, Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Bihani M., Department of Pharmacognosy, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Karnataka, Bangalore, India