Chapter 5 - Lipid-based cubosome nanoparticle mediated efficient and controlled vesicular drug delivery for cancer therapy

Abstract

Cubosome is a nano-bioengineered lipid-based vesicular drug delivery tool, comprised of amphiphilic lipids (such as phytantriol and glyceryl monooleate) and a suitable stabilizer. Cubosome has three-dimensional homeomorphic lipid bilayers and looks like the structure of a honeycomb (10–500nm in size). It has two internal aqueous channels, where the different types of bioactive molecules (such as peptides, chemical drugs, etc.) are loaded. Cubosome can be a good alternative in the field of drug delivery systems, due to their better biocompatibility, low viscosity, and capability to carry an extra amount of active ingredients, due to the more internal surface area than other drug delivery vehicles. It can deliver a wide range of drugs (like hydrophilic, hydrophobic molecules, etc.). Cubosomes are poly-ε-lysine coated, which provides more efficiency in theranostic purpose by a controlled slow release of drugs. Taken together, cubosome acts as a good anticancer drug (e.g., Camptothecin, Doxorubicin, etc.) delivery vehicle and can be applied in the human physiological system through various possible ways (like oral, percutaneous route, etc.).