Stimuli‐Responsive Lipid‐Based Self‐Assembled Systems

pH Responsiveness of Hexosomes and Cubosomes for Combined Delivery of Brucea javanica Oil and Doxorubicin

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In recent years, liquid crystalline lipid nanocarriers have found applications in various research fields: from biosensors and theranostic imaging in medicine to functional foods, nutraceuticals and drug delivery systems in therapeutic innovation. [23][24][25][26][27][28] Such carrier systems protect the therapeutic molecules from degradation, provide drug transport and sustained release as well as efficient uptake by the cells. 23,24 Their structures often mimic some naturally occurring complex fluid systems.…”

“…Tolerance of cancer cells to drugs during chemotherapy is a serious obstacle to cancer treatment. − The sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs gradually decreases with the progress of chemotherapy, which results in multidrug resistance (MDR) . Currently, natural products and phytochemicals are attracting growing interest in the design of anticancer medicines including nanoscale assemblies. − The development of nanodrug delivery systems for cancer therapy aims at maximizing the anticancer drug bioavailability and efficacy, while reducing the toxicity associated with conventional chemotherapy formulations. − New ideas about design and fabrication of nanodrug carriers have arisen from the colloidal properties of liquid crystalline assemblies suitable for incorporation of antitumor agents. − In recent years, liquid crystalline lipid nanocarriers have found applications in various research fields: from biosensors and theranostic imaging in medicine to functional foods, nutraceuticals, and drug delivery systems in therapeutic innovation. − Such carrier systems protect the therapeutic molecules from degradation, provide drug transport and sustained release as well as efficient uptake by the cells. , Their structures often mimic some naturally occurring complex fluid systems . Their major advantages are the large surface area-to-volume ratio and the inner organization involving lipid bilayers (hydrophobic compartments) and a network of hydrophilic aqueous channel compartments for accommodation of guest molecules of various origins. ,, …”

Clickable Cubosomes for Antibody-Free Drug Targeting and Imaging Applications

“…Self-assembled lipid based liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNP) possessing an internal cubic phase structure, known as cubosomes, have been gathering attention as a drug delivery system as they can be loaded with both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs and they have potential for on-demand reversible release which offers advantages over more commonly used liposomes. − Amphiphilic lipids such as phytantriol and glycerol monoleate (GMO) can self-assemble in excess water to form thermodynamically stable liquid crystalline phases such as the bicontinuous cubic phase. , Cubosomes can then be formed by the dispersion of the “bulk” cubic liquid crystalline phase, usually with the aid of a polymer stabilizer, such as Pluronic F127 or F108. The internal structure of the particles, and approaches to modification for drug delivery or imaging capabilities by incorporation of other agents such as lipids, phospholipids, or metallic nanoparticles have been well studied, − as has the influence of the stabilizer . The cubosomes often have the same microstructure as the bulk liquid crystalline phases but have a larger surface area and are much less viscous, enabling their potential deployment as injectable drug delivery or imaging systems. − The internal structure of the cubic phase particles makes them particularly interesting as MRI contrast agents, as the bound water behaves very differently to bulk water, providing a boost in relaxivity. , The use of cubosomes as contrast agent enhancers was recently reviewed …”

pH-responsive lyotropic liquid crystals and their potential therapeutic role in cancer treatment

“…20 These systems consist of lipidic amphiphilic molecules which self-assemble in aqueous environments to form complex three dimensional structures and which are able to control the release of drugs of varying properties and particle sizes. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Their geometry, symmetry and dimension in the resulting water nanochannels primarily determine the rate of drug release, [21][22][23] and can be modified by the control of lipid selfassembly. This can be achieved through the manipulation of lipid composition, temperature and ionic strength amongst other factors.…”