Cubosomes: composition, preparation, and drug delivery applications.

Abstract

Cubosomes can be considered as a novel lipid-based nanosystems similar to well-known vesicular systems such as liposomes and niosomes. Cubosomes have been widely formulated using certain amphiphilic lipids (e.g. glyceryl monooleate and phytantriol) in the presence of a suitable stabilizer. They can represent a novel drug delivery system which could be loaded with hydrophilic, lipophilic and amphiphilic drug molecules. They are widely used for various drug delivery applications such as oral, ocular, transdermal and chemotherapy drug delivery. In this review, the pertinent literature of cubosomes with emphasis on theories of self-assembling, the composition of cubosomes, methods of preparation and drug delivery applications will be critically reviewed. Key words Cubosomes, glycerol monooleate (GMO), phytantriol (PHYT), poloxamer 407, theories of self-assembling  They have low entrapment efficiency for water-soluble drug molecules due to their high water content inside their structure [1]. 2. Theories of self-assembling of amphiphilic lipids Certain amphiphilic surfactants with polar and non-polar components are able to self-assemble in aqueous media into highly ordered aggregates (structures) [16], with long-range order in one, two or three dimensions and short-range order at atomic distance [17]. The resultant surfactant structures could be micelles, open lipid bilayer, closed lipid bilayer and inverted micelles. There are two main theories tried to explain how these surfactant can be self-assembled into especial structure. 2.1. The principle of opposing forces Amphiphilic molecules when exposed to a polar solvent they are arranged in such a way to minimize their free energy, where the polar solvent penetrates through the amphiphilic molecules exposing the hydrophilic portions to the aqueous environment

Chitosan and glyceryl monooleate nanostructures containing gallic acid isolated from amla fruit: targeted delivery system

“…Chitosan found to carry a variety of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs and poloxamer 407 is a nonionic US FDA approved stabilizer used in various formulations [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, the surface properties of polymeric nanoparticles are altered by surface modification and/or to improve the pharmacokinetics of these colloidal carriers here chitosan is used as a polymer [ 16 , 20 ]. The glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and chitosan (Chi) is a unique nanoparticulate system having ability to protect the encapsulated drug and increase its stability with efficient delivery to the target sites [ 21 ].…”

Nanomedicine: A Promising Way to Manage Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Cubosomes are another lipid-based NPs that may have the potential biomedical application for drug delivery to the brain (Gaballa et al, 2020). The results of donepezil-HCL delivery through cubosomal mucoadhesive in situ nasal gel show that formulated gel could be considered as a promising carrier for drug delivery to target the affected parts of the brain (Patil et al, 2019).…”

<p>Brain Targeting of Duloxetine HCL via Intranasal Delivery of Loaded Cubosomal Gel: In vitro Characterization, ex vivo Permeation, and in vivo Biodistribution Studies</p>

“…On the other hand, PF127 could act as a steric stabilizer that prevented the aggregation of the prepared cubosomes. 12,40,41 International Journal of…”

“…At higher concentrations, it forms a bicontinuous cubic structure. 11,12 Cubosomes have many advantages like high entrapment efficiency, controlled drug release, biocompatibility, bioadhesive properties, and thermodynamic stability. 13 In situ intranasal gel, which is a solution at room temperature (<25°C) and forms a gel when inserted into the nasal cavity (32°C to 34°C), prolongs the nasal residence time of the formulation so increases the penetration rate and improves the nasal absorption.…”

“…The ratio between PEO and PPO is responsible for hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, respectively. 12 Central composite design (CCD) is a practical statistical experimental design for studying the main effects of the experimental factors and their interactions using fewer experimental runs compared to a full factorial design. It covers many possible combinations and requires only three levels of each factor.…”