A review on cubosomes: As a novel carrier for drug delivery

Abstract

Cubosomes are the novel drug delivery system which is nano structured particles. Cubosomes are bicontinues cubic liquid crystalline systems formed by the self-assembly of surfactant-like or amphiphilic molecules which are optically clear. Their intriguing bicontinuous structures possess very high solid like viscosities unique from other delivery system. Bicontinuous relates to the separation of the two continuous but non-intersecting lipid bilayer by aqueous region which is twisted into space filling structure. Cubosomes are three dimensional honeycombed (cavernous) structures with large interfacial area and separating two internal aqueous channels can be exploited by various bioactive ingredients, such as proteins, peptides and drugs. They possess unique properties such as the ability of encapsulating hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic substances, bioadhesion, thermodynamically stable and controlled release through functionalization, as promising vehicles for different route of administration such as orally, percutaneously and parenterally. They are characterized by various evaluation parameters and have wide range of applications. The present study outlines advances about cubosomes as a drug carrier, the various techniques used in preparation of them lead to reach the edges in drug delivery, their characterization, evaluation and different applications.