Cubosomes as Potential Nanocarrier for Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Lyotropic liquid crystalline cores are characterized as soft nanoparticles and referred as cubosomes.  They are prepared to activate the natural self-assembly capability of lipids (e.g., monoolein or phytantriol) in water. Cubosomes are crystalline isotropic lipidic nanoparticles stabilized by Poloxamers such as F127, F108. It is made up of a network of two separate aqueous channels formed by a three-dimensional, non-intersecting lipid bilayer imposed over an indefinite periodic minimum surface of cubic symmetry. Cubosomes constitute unique features such as their special cubic structure which permits to incorporate highly lipophilic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic drugs. Also, the lipids excipients used in the preparation of cubosomes such as monoolein, phytantriol are biodegradable and biocompatible so these cubic nanoparticles are referred as safe carrier for drug delivery. Cubic lipid nanoparticles have a highly stable cubic shape that allows for a slower rate of dissociation, improved drug retention, and site-specific drug delivery. The architecture of cubic particles provides suitability in the drug delivery as compared to other lipids-based drug delivery systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), liposomes due to their drug expulsion to the surface of nanoparticles. Cubosomes with these loaded features/architectural composition led to an array of desired performance. Solvent evaporation, ultrasonication, hydrotrope, spray drying, melt dispersion emulsifying methods are used to prepare these carrier systems.