Abstract

CUBOSOMES: THE NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Akshay Rajabhau Barkate* and Dhanashri Naghnath Gadekar

Abstract

Cubosomes are thermodynamically stable, square, and rounded lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticle having approximately 200 nm in diameter, consist of amphiphilic lipids, stabilizers, and water in definite proportions. It is very viscous and optically clear preparation having certain benefits such as large surface area, its preparation is simple, the ability to encapsulate hydrophobic, amphiphilic and hydrophilic substances, controlled and targeting release of bioactive agents, can increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Cubosomes dispersions are bioadhesive and biocompatible because of their properties and administered by different routes such as percutaneously, parenterally, and orally. The first part of this article deals with its benefits, types of cubosomes, structure. Last part deals with its characterization aspects such as particle size and zeta potential analysis, the morphology of cubosomes, visual inspection, shapes of the cubosomes, entrapment efficiency, measurement of drug release from cubosomes, and its stability studies. Cubosomes are gaining more attention in the pharmaceutical field and in various fields.

Keywords: Cubosomes, Lyotropic liquid crystals, Bicontinuous cubic phases, Nanoparticle, Amphiphilic lipids, Carriers in drug delivery.