Cubosomes as Targeted Drug Delivery Systems - A Biopharmaceutical Approach

Abstract

Cubosomes are reversed bicontinuous cubic phases and possess unique physicochemical properties. These special systems are receiving much attention for the delivery of various hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic drugs with enhanced bioavailability and high loading capacity. A wide variety of drugs are applicable for cubosome formulation for various routes of delivery. The lipids used in cubosome formulation are more stable and offer stability to the formulation during shelf-life. The article reviews about the back ground, techniques of cubosome preparation such as high pressure homogenization, probe ultrasonication and automated cubosome preparation; and also methods of cubosomes preparation such as top down, bottom up and other methods with pictorial presentation. This article emphasizes the phase transition and also targeted approaches of cubosomes. The characterization studies for cubosomes such as cryo transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy followed by in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation studies of cubosomes were explained with appropriate examples. Recent applications of cubosomes were explained with reference to flurbiprofen, odorranalectin, diazepam and dexamethasone. The advantages, disadvantages and limitations of cubosomal technology were emphasized.

Bioavailability and Antidiabetic Activity of Gliclazide-Loaded Cubosomal Nanoparticles

“…Cubosomes, nanostructured particles of bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline phase, are formulated easily by a hydrating mixture of glyceryl-monooleate and poloxamer 407. The cubic phase produces colloidal and thermodynamically stable particulate dispersions [ 15 , 16 ]. Cubosomes have many benefits, such as high drug encapsulating and loading ability of hydrophilic and hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), simple preparation techniques, lipids biodegradability, and both sustained and targeted release of drugs [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

<p>Nanosized Cubosomal Thermogelling Dispersion Loaded with Saquinavir Mesylate to Improve Its Bioavailability: Preparation, Optimization, in vitro and in vivo Evaluation</p>

“…Cubosomes are formed from lipid cubic phases and have gained much attention for drug delivery purposes. [17][18][19] For structure, monoolein and phytantriol are commonly employed as lipids in cubosomes. 20 Cubosomes have been reported to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of drugs by various routes of administration including intranasal deliver to target the brain.…”

Microfluidic technologies for the synthesis and manipulation of biomimetic membranous nano-assemblies

“…Like their lamellar counterparts, engineered cubosomes are expected to find use in the pharmaceutical industry as delivery vehicles, their higher membrane surface area making them ideal structures for hydrophobic cargo transport and release. 50,[58][59][60] Some work has gone into cubosomal formulations with encapsulated gene-silencing RNA and other functional peptides, displaying exceptionally well-controlled diffusion rates. [61][62][63] Cubosomes have been shown to provide a certain degree of in vivo protection to biomolecules that would otherwise be sensitive to enzymatic degradation, highly advantageous in the delivery of immunogenic therapeutics.…”