Recent Advances in the Development of Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Systems

Due to their distinctive structural features, lyotropic nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs), such as cubosomes and hexosomes, are considered effective drug delivery systems. Cubosomes have a lipid bilayer that makes a membrane lattice with two water channels that are intertwined. Hexosomes are inverse hexagonal phases made of an infinite number of hexagonal lattices that are tightly connected with water channels. These nanostructures are often stabilized by surfactants. The structure's membrane has a much larger surface area than that of other lipid nanoparticles, which makes it possible to load therapeutic molecules. In addition, the composition of mesophases can be modified by pore diameters, thus influencing drug release. Much research has been conducted in recent years to improve their preparation and characterization, as well as to control drug release and improve the efficacy of loaded bioactive chemicals. This article reviews current advances in LCNP technology that permit their application, as well as design ideas for revolutionary biomedical applications. Furthermore, we have provided a summary of the application of LCNPs based on the administration routes, including the pharmacokinetic modulation property.

Automated summary

Due to their unique structural features, lyotropic nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) such as cubosomes and hexosomes are considered effective drug delivery systems. These nanostructures, often stabilized by surfactants, have a larger surface area than other lipid nanoparticles, allowing for the loading of therapeutic molecules, with the drug release being influenced by pore diameters. Recent research has focused on improving the preparation and characterization of LCNPs, as well as controlling drug release and enhancing the efficacy of bioactive chemicals. This article reviews the latest advancements in LCNP technology and provides an overview of their applications in biomedical fields based on different administration routes and their pharmacokinetic modulation properties.