Publication:

Liposomal vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): enhanced delivery, mechanisms, and clinical applications

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is a critical precursor for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), facilitating essential metabolic pathways including the Krebs cycle and fatty acid synthesis. Despite its biological importance, conventional oral supplementation faces significant pharmacokinetic challenges, primarily the saturation of sodium-dependent multivitamin transporters (SMVT) and susceptibility to gastric degradation, which limit its systemic bioavailability. Liposomal encapsulation offers a biomimetic "Trojan horse" delivery mechanism that protects vitamin B5 from the acidic gastric environment. By utilizing a phospholipid bilayer, this technology enables non-saturable absorption pathways such as passive diffusion, endocytosis, and lymphatic uptake, effectively bypassing the competitive limitations of SMVT and the hepatic first-pass effect. Reported literature suggests that enhanced delivery of vitamin B5 through advanced formulations holds significant potential in several clinical domains: dermatological health: supporting skin barrier repair and addressing conditions such as acne, wound healing: facilitating tissue regeneration and dermatological repair, metabolic management: aiding in the regulation of dyslipidaemia through its role in lipid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis, and neuroprotection: enhancing the synthesis of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine to support neurological health. While liposomal technology significantly optimizes the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of pantothenic acid, further clinical evidence is required to fully map its long-term efficacy across diverse populations. Future research should focus on addressing existing evidence gaps to establish standardized protocols for its application in chronic metabolic and neurological therapy.