Polymerized bicontinuous cubic nanoparticles (cubosomes) from a reactive monoacylglycerol

Bicontinuous cubic phases of monoacylglycerides/Poloxamer 407 (PEO98PPO67PEO98)/water can be dispersed into submicron particles, which are termed "cubosomes". Technological applications of these nanoparticles may be possible, if their nonlamellar architecture can be rendered more robust. To accomplish this goal, a polymerizable heterobifunctional monoacylglycerol, 3-(2,4,13-(E,E)-tetradecatrienoyl)-sn-glycerol (1), was synthesized and combined with water to form an optically transparent gel. In the presence of Poloxamer 407 and excess water the cubic phase of 1 was dispersed by ultrasonication into 300-nm diameter nanoparticles. The polymerization of these reactive cubosomes could be initiated either by the use of a photoinitiator or with redox chemistry. The polymerized cubosomes remained stable even after the addition of excess Triton X-100, in a manner consistent with executing cross-linking in the nanostructures.