A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications
The impact of nanotechnology on the exponential growth of several research areas, particularly nanomedicine, is undeniable. The ability to deliver active molecules to the desired site could significantly improve the efficiency of medical treatments. One of the nanocarriers developed which has drawn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/13/2224 |
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| author | Cristiana Oliveira Celso J. O. Ferreira Miguel Sousa Juan L. Paris Ricardo Gaspar Bruno F. B. Silva José A. Teixeira Pedro Ferreira-Santos Claudia M. Botelho |
| author_facet | Cristiana Oliveira Celso J. O. Ferreira Miguel Sousa Juan L. Paris Ricardo Gaspar Bruno F. B. Silva José A. Teixeira Pedro Ferreira-Santos Claudia M. Botelho |
| author_sort | Cristiana Oliveira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of nanotechnology on the exponential growth of several research areas, particularly nanomedicine, is undeniable. The ability to deliver active molecules to the desired site could significantly improve the efficiency of medical treatments. One of the nanocarriers developed which has drawn researchers’ attention are cubosomes, which are nanosized dispersions of lipid bicontinuous cubic phases in water, consisting of a lipidic interior and aqueous domains folded in a cubic lattice. They stand out due to their ability to incorporate hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic compounds, their tortuous internal configuration that provides a sustained release, and the capacity to protect and safely deliver molecules. Several approaches can be taken to prepare this structure, as well as different lipids like monoolein or phytantriol. This review paper describes the different methods to prepare nanocarriers. As it is known, the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers are very important, as they influence their pharmacokinetics and their ability to incorporate and deliver active molecules. Therefore, an extensive characterization is essential to obtain the desired effect. As a result, we have extensively described the most common techniques to characterize cubosomes, particularly nanocarriers. The exceptional properties of the cubosomes make them suitable to be used in several applications in the biomedical field, from cancer therapeutics to imaging, which will be described. Taking in consideration the outstanding properties of cubosomes, their application in several research fields is envisaged. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:59:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e73ba6c0a2364778bd70beed85efda96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:59:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-e73ba6c0a2364778bd70beed85efda962023-12-03T14:15:01ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912022-06-011213222410.3390/nano12132224A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and ApplicationsCristiana Oliveira0Celso J. O. Ferreira1Miguel Sousa2Juan L. Paris3Ricardo Gaspar4Bruno F. B. Silva5José A. Teixeira6Pedro Ferreira-Santos7Claudia M. Botelho8CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalAndalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, 29590 Málaga, SpainINL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalINL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalCEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalThe impact of nanotechnology on the exponential growth of several research areas, particularly nanomedicine, is undeniable. The ability to deliver active molecules to the desired site could significantly improve the efficiency of medical treatments. One of the nanocarriers developed which has drawn researchers’ attention are cubosomes, which are nanosized dispersions of lipid bicontinuous cubic phases in water, consisting of a lipidic interior and aqueous domains folded in a cubic lattice. They stand out due to their ability to incorporate hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic compounds, their tortuous internal configuration that provides a sustained release, and the capacity to protect and safely deliver molecules. Several approaches can be taken to prepare this structure, as well as different lipids like monoolein or phytantriol. This review paper describes the different methods to prepare nanocarriers. As it is known, the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers are very important, as they influence their pharmacokinetics and their ability to incorporate and deliver active molecules. Therefore, an extensive characterization is essential to obtain the desired effect. As a result, we have extensively described the most common techniques to characterize cubosomes, particularly nanocarriers. The exceptional properties of the cubosomes make them suitable to be used in several applications in the biomedical field, from cancer therapeutics to imaging, which will be described. Taking in consideration the outstanding properties of cubosomes, their application in several research fields is envisaged.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/13/2224nanotechnologynanomedicinedelivery systemscubosomes |
| spellingShingle | Cristiana Oliveira Celso J. O. Ferreira Miguel Sousa Juan L. Paris Ricardo Gaspar Bruno F. B. Silva José A. Teixeira Pedro Ferreira-Santos Claudia M. Botelho A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications Nanomaterials nanotechnology nanomedicine delivery systems cubosomes |
| title | A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications |
| title_full | A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications |
| title_fullStr | A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications |
| title_short | A Versatile Nanocarrier—Cubosomes, Characterization, and Applications |
| title_sort | versatile nanocarrier cubosomes characterization and applications |
| topic | nanotechnology nanomedicine delivery systems cubosomes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/13/2224 |
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