CUBIC LIQUID CRYSTALLINE NANOPARTICLES (CUBOSOMES): A NOVEL CARRIER FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Lyotropic liquid crystalline systems, such as reversed bicontinuous cubic phases acquire progressive attention because of their unique microstructure and physicochemical properties. Cubosomes were nanostructured liquid crystalline particles, formed from a certain group amphiphilic lipids in definite proportions in water and was stabilized with a triblock copolymer. Substances in use were biocompatible. Cubosomes are curved bicontinuous lipid bi-layers which were organized in three-dimensional structures resembling honeycomb-like structure with distinct amphiphilic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. They serve as a carrier in drug delivery for various bioactive molecules such as chemicals, drugs, peptides, and proteins to protect them from hydrolysis, oxidation or any other way of degradation. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of cubosomes in nanoparticle drug delivery, sustained release, controlled release, and also to provide improved bioavailability. This article gives an overview of initial work that took advancements till drug delivery, cubosomes types, structure, methods of preparation and primarily the applications of cubosomes in the formulation from the past in various categories drugs and pharmaceuticals.