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Updated: May 13, 2026
10:16
Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
Nanostructured cubosomes as advanced drug delivery system
Xin Pan1, Ke Han, Xinsheng Peng
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun-Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P.R. China. luming3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|March 9, 2013
Summary
Amphiphilic lipids form cubic phases, which are then used to create cubosomes. These nanostructures offer enhanced drug delivery across various routes due to their unique properties.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutics
Background:
- Amphiphilic lipids self-assemble into liquid crystalline cubic phases with water.
- Cubic phases feature a bicontinuous structure with water channels suitable for drug encapsulation.
- Cubosomes are derived from cubic phases, offering larger surface area and lower viscosity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of cubosome research.
- To discuss the preparation, characteristics, and pharmaceutical applications of cubosomes.
Main Methods:
- Fragmentation of bulk cubic phase gels.
- Lyotropic methods for cubosome preparation.
Main Results:
- Cubosomes retain the cubic phase's internal nanostructure.
- Cubosomes exhibit high specific surface area and low viscosity.
- Cubosomes are suitable for diverse drug delivery routes.
Conclusions:
- Cubosomes are promising nanocarriers for drug delivery.
- Their unique properties facilitate oral, mucosal, transdermal, and parenteral administration.
- Cubosome research is rapidly advancing in pharmaceutics.
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