Structural relationships between lamellar, cubic and hexagonal phases in monoglyceride-water systems. possibility of cubic structures in biological systems

Lipidic intramembranous particles

“…This structure greatly resembles a cubic phase that has been proposed for monoglycerides in water [53,55] and which is possibly intermediary between the lamellar and H H phase (see subsection IIIC.). Of the various factors which might be responsible for the unique structure of the prolamellar body, the H H phase-preferring MGalDG [20,73] is the most likely.…”

Further aspects of the Ca2+-dependent polymorphism of bovine heart cardiolipin

“…The exact interrelationship between lipidic particles and cubic phases as well as the biological significance of this latter phase can only be speculated upon. However, it is noteworthy that the morphology of the prolamellar body [43] which is involved in the formation of thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and which contains substantial amounts of the hexagonal HII phase preferring monogalactosyl diacylglycerol [21] greatly resembles the structure of some of the cubic phases observed in model membranes [40].…”

Transdermal delivery of paeonol using cubic gel and microemulsion gel

“…25,26 Secondly, the structure of the cubic gel might be better than that of the microemulsion gel for drug delivery. The structure of the cubic phase is unique and consists of a curved bicontinuous lipid bilayer, which resembles the structure of lipid membranes found in nature, 27,28 so might result in good adhesiveness to the skin and good delivery of the drug.…”