Abstract

CUBOSOMES: AS A NOVEL DRUG CARRIER

R. Parthibarajan*, H. Subalakshmi, P. Revathi and M. Kalaichandar

ABSTRACT

Cubosomes are nanoparticles in structure which is mainly made of certain amphiphilic lipids in definite proportion, known as bicontinuous cubic phase liquid crystals. Hydrating a surfactant or polar lipid that forms cubic phase and then dispersing a solid like phase into smaller particles usually forms a cubosomes. They perform solid like rheology with unique properties of practical interest. They are thermodynamically stable and they have carvenous (honeycomb) structures which are tightly packed twisted into three dimensional bilayers. This type of complex structure allows them to have greater drug loading ability. Cubosomes have ability to encapsulate the hydrophobic, hydrophilic, amphiphilic substances. Cubosomes can increase the solubility of poorly soluble drug. Cubosome dispersions are bioadhesive and biocompatible. Because of their properties, cubosome are versatile systems, administrable by different ways such as orally, percutaneously and parenterally. Cubosome structure by means of electron microscopy, light scattering, x-ray and NMR, nevertheless few researchers has been studying the potential of cubosome as delivery systems.

Keywords: Cubosomes, Amphiphilic, Self-assembled, Nanoparticles.