Cubosomes: A New Approach in Drug Delivery

Abstract

Cubosomes are bi-continuous cubic liquid crystals which can encapsulate hydrophilic, lipophilic and amphiphilic drugs. Cubosomes have emerged as unique drug targeting systems mainly due to their excellence in delivery of poorly aqueous soluble drugs. This review emphasizes on major applications and future prospectives of cubosomes as a novel drug delivery systems. The article leaves a note on methods of preparation of cubosomes with an added information about the mode of drug release from cubosomes which is diffusion. The major theories proposing the cubic nature of these cubosomes has also been discussed. Cubosomes, thus are a choice of delivery systems of drugs to lengthen the duration of action and decreasing toxicity by targeting.

Introduction

Cubosomes are novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) designed to release drugs in a controlled, site-specific manner, improving bioavailability, reducing side effects, and minimizing dosage frequency. They are self-assembled lipid-based nanocarriers with a unique bio-continuous cubic liquid crystalline structure, capable of encapsulating hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic drugs simultaneously.

Comparison with Liposomes:
Cubosomes are more stable, biodegradable, and versatile than liposomes. They offer sustained and targeted drug release, high drug-loading capacity, multiple administration routes, and low viscosity for easier formulation.

Types and Structure:
Cubosomes form primitive or diamond cubic phases and are composed of amphiphilic lipids (e.g., glycerol monooleate or phytantriol) stabilized by surfactants like Pluronics. Their cubic structure preserves the stability and activity of encapsulated compounds and supports prolonged drug release.

Characterization:
Key properties include particle size (10–500 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (e.g., 97% for capsaicin), zeta potential (-19 to -49 mV), and sustained drug release profiles. TEM imaging shows well-dispersed, hexagonal-shaped cubosomes.

Advantages:

• High drug loading and versatile encapsulation

• Controlled, prolonged drug release

• Protection against enzymatic degradation

• Thermodynamic stability and high surface area

• Biocompatibility and low toxicity

Disadvantages:

• High viscosity complicates large-scale production

• Possible drug leakage and phase transitions

• Limited control over hydrophilic drug release

• Sensitivity to environmental conditions and particle growth

Drug Release Mechanism:
Drug diffusion is the primary mode, governed by factors like solubility, partition coefficient, cubosome geometry, pore size, and medium conditions.

Preparation Methods:
Cubosomes can be prepared using top-down (high-energy homogenization/sonication) or bottom-up (self-assembly) approaches.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Susmitha Pilli, Kusuma Tamma, Meer Shaik, Rambabu Pragallapati, Narayana Raju P, Bhaskara Raju V. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.