Abstract: Nature remains a prolific source of therapeutically valuable compounds; however, the potential of many herbal bioactives remains underexploited due to inadequate formulation strategies. Challenges such as poor aqueous solubility, limited bioavailability, and instability have created significant barriers to the successful development of phytochemical-based medicines. In recent years, pharmaceutical co-crystallization has surfaced as a promising method to address these issues by altering the physicochemical, mechanical, and biopharmaceutical characteristics of phytoconstituents while preserving their pharmacological efficacy. This review highlights recent advancements and innovative approaches in co-crystallization for enhancing the solubility, stability, and therapeutic performance of herbal molecules. It also discusses the current status of phytochemical co-crystals, their potential as coformers, and the key challenges in their development. The article also addresses the recent progress in phytochemical co-crystal screening-encompassing conceptual, in silico, and thermal methods-which have expedited the discovery of appropriate coformers and refined crystallization conditions. Furthermore, the paper underscores the need for standardized regulatory frameworks to facilitate the transition of phytochemical co-crystals from laboratory research to clinically approved therapeutic products. Future progress in co-crystal design and scalable manufacturing is expected to yield novel patentable technologies, strengthening the industrial and commercial potential of this emerging field.
Sakure et al. (Tue,) studied this question.