Liposomal vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): enhanced delivery, mechanisms, and clinical applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20261977Keywords:
Vitamin B5, Pantothenic acid, Coenzyme A, SMVTAbstract
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.
References
Graham M, Clark C, Scherer A, Ratner M, Keen C. An analysis of the nutritional adequacy of mass-marketed vegan recipes. Cureus. 2023;15:e37131.
Higdon JV, Frei B. Coffee and health: A review of recent human research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46:101-23.
Jagim AR, Harty PS, Tinsley GM, Kerksick CM, Gonzalez AM, Kreider RB, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Energy drinks and energy shots. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023;20:2171314.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Exploring the role of meat in diverse dietary patterns and across life stages: Office of Dietary Supplements: Fact sheet for health professionals. Iowa State University Digital Press, 2026. Available at: https://www.iastatedigital press.com/mmb/article/id/20294/. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
Paparella R, Panvino F, Leonardi L, Pucarelli I, Menghi M, Micangeli G, et al. Water-soluble vitamins: Hypo- and hypervitaminosis in pediatric population. Pharmaceutics. 2025;17:118.
Scholefield M, Church S J, Xu J, Patassini S, Cooper G J S. Localized pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) reductions present throughout the dementia with lewy bodies brain. J Parkinsons Dis. 2024;14:965-76.
Sharma B, Mukhopadhyay K. Emerging trends in sports cardiology: The role of micronutrients in cardiovascular health and performance. J Sports Med Ther. 2024;9:073-82.
Sanvictores T, Chauhan S. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid). In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. 2025.
West Bengal Chemical Industries Limited. LIPOSOME: A gateway to advanced nutrient delivery. WBCIL Research & Development Division. 2021. Available at https://www.wbcil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Liposome-white-paper.pdf. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
West Bengal Chemical Industries Limited. Certificate of Analysis: Purified Liposome Batch - Particle size, PDI, and Zeta Potential analysis. Quality Control Department. 2024.
Banerjee PG, Paul A, Chakraborty A, Kundu S. Liposomal glutathione: A breakthrough in cellular health by West Bengal Chemical Industries Ltd., Kolkata, India. Pharma Innov J. 2025;14:73-81.
Banerjee PG, Paul A, Chakraborty A, Kundu S. Enhancing the stability and bioavailability of alpha-lipoic acid: Development and evaluation of a liposomal formulation by West Bengal Chemical Industries Ltd. Int J Pharm Sci Drug Anal. 2025;5:39-48.
Atkinson SA. Defining the process of Dietary Reference Intakes: Framework for the United States and Canada. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94:655S-7S.
Azzini E, Furini T, Polito A, Scalfi L, Pinto A, Gasperi V, Savini I. Vitamin nutritional status in patients with pancreatic cancer: A narrative review. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25:4773.
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. 1998.
Linus Pauling Institute. Pantothenic acid. 2021. Available at: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/ pantothenic-acid. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Pantothenic acid: Fact sheet for health professionals. 2021. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
Paparella R, Panvino F, Leonardi L, Pucarelli I, Menghi M, Micangeli G, et al. Water-Soluble Vitamins: Hypo- and Hypervitaminosis in Pediatric Population. Pharmaceutics. 2025;17(1):118.
Said HM. Intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins in health and disease. Biochem J. 2011;437(3):357-72.
Kraft JC, Freeling JP, Wang Z, Ho RJ. Emerging research and clinical development trends of liposome and lipid nanoparticle drug delivery systems. J Pharm Sci. 2014;103(1):29-52.
Lee MK. Liposomes for Enhanced Bioavailability of Water-Insoluble Drugs: In Vivo Evidence and Recent Approaches. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):264.
Nsairat H, Khater D, Sayed U, Odeh F, Al Bawab A, Alshaer W. Liposomes: structure, composition, types, and clinical applications. Heliyon. 2022;8(5):e09394.
Sanad MT, Alter C, Detampel P, Einfalt T, Huwyler J. Manufacturing of Liposomes: A Direct Comparison of Extrusion and Microfluidics Protocols. ChemRxiv. 2021;14604921.
Yu B, Lee RJ, Lee LJ. Microfluidic methods for production of liposomes. Methods Enzymol. 2009;465:129-41.
Żmuda P, Khaidakov B, Krasowska M, Czapska K, Dobkowski M, Guzowski J, et al. Bioavailability of Liposomal Vitamin C in Powder Form: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Trial. Appl Sci. 2024;14(17):7718.
Yang M, Moclair B, Hatcher V, Kaminetsky J, Mekas M, Chapas A, Capodice J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic Acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2014;4(1):93-101.
Capodice J. Feasibility, tolerability, safety and efficacy of a pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne blemishes. J Cosmet Dermatol Sci Appl. 2012;2(3):216-29.
Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses. 1995;44(6):490-2.
Saki N, Noori SMA, Shojaeian H, Abbaszadeh H. The efficacy of intramuscular dexpanthenol as an adjuvant to adapalene in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24:112-9.
Shields A, Haidari W, Feldman SR. Oral pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A review of the literature. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159:1245-51.
Celebi S, Yenice S, Aykan U, Karaman G, Akpinar N. The effect of dexpanthenol on corneal epithelial healing in an experimental model. Curr Eye Res. 2013;38:1021-6.
Udompataikul M, Limpa-o-vart D. Comparative trial of 5% dexpanthenol in water-in-oil formulation with 1% hydrocortisone ointment in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis: a pilot study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(3):366-74.
Wohlrab J, Gebert A. Dexpanthenol: An overview of its contribution to symptom relief in skin diseases. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018;8:173-81.
Evans M, Rumberger JA, Azumano I, Napolitano JJ, Citrolo D, Kamiya T. Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2014;10:89-100.
Linus Pauling Institute. Pantothenic acid, 2021. Available at: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/ pantothenic-acid. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
McRae MP. Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in therapeutic lifestyle change diet-eligible hypercholesterolemic patients. Nutr Res. 2005;25:319-33.
Sanvictores T, Chauhan S. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid). In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. 2024.
Jung S, Kim MK, Choi BY. The long-term relationship between dietary pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) intake and C-reactive protein concentration in adults aged 40 years and older. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2017;27(9):806-6.
Patassini S, Begley P, Xu J, Church SJ, Kureishy N, Reid SJ, et al. Cerebral Vitamin B5 (D-Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency as a Potential Cause of Metabolic Perturbation and Neurodegeneration in Huntington's Disease. Metabolites. 2019;9(6):113.
Xu J, Patassini S, Rustogi N, Riba-Garcia I, Hale BD, Phillips AM, et al. Regional protein expression in human Alzheimer's brain correlates with disease severity. Commun Biol. 2019;2:43.
Zhou B, Westaway SK, Levinson B, Johnson MA, Gitschier J, Hayflick SJ. A novel pantothenate kinase gene (PANK2) is defective in Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome. Nat Genet. 2001;28(4):345-9.
Debourdeau PM, Djezzar S, Estival JL, Zammit CM, Richard RC, Castot AC. Life-threatening eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion related to vitamins B5 and H. Ann Pharmacother. 2001;35(4):424-6.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Pantothenic acid: Fact sheet for health professionals. 2021. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/. Accessed on 02 March 2026.
Wohlrab J, Gebert A. Dexpanthenol: An overview of its contribution to symptom relief in skin diseases. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018;8:173-81.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
