A REVIEW ON CUBOSOME: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Cubosomes are very stable nanoparticles, which consist of cavernous or honeycombed structures. Cubosomes are formed from some amphiphilic lipids and stabilized by a polymer. They are known as bicontinuous cubic phase liquid crystals. The bicontinuous word refers to the two continuous but non-intersecting aqueous regions by a lipid bilayer. Cubosomes are self-assembled liquid crystalline particles of a specific ratio of water and surfactant. Self-assembled cubosomes act like an active drug delivery system. They are having rheology like a solid. Cubosomes are thermodynamically stable, and their dispersions are biocompatible as well as bio-adhesive. Cubosomes are administrable in various ways, like parenteral, oral, mucosal, transdermal, etc., for the treatment of skin, hair, or any other body tissues. Cubosomes could encapsulate the amphiphilic, hydrophilic, and also hydrophobic substances. Nevertheless, some researchers have been identifying the scope of cubosomes as delivery systems. They have different drug loading modalities and having high internal surface areas. Controlled release and targeting of bioactive agents are other abilities of cubosomes. They are also applicable as membrane bioreactors, biosensors, artificial cells, etc. They are prepared by a simple method. As compared to the liposome, cubosomes possess larger breaking resistance. The present article reviews and discusses the advanced methods of preparation of cubosomes.