Lipids have been used extensively for drug delivery in various forms such a
s liposomes, and solid-matrices. The focus of this review is evaluation of
liquid crystalline cubic phases, spontaneously formed when amphiphilic lipi
ds are placed in aqueous environment, for drug delivery. Cubic phases have
an interesting thermodynamically stable structure consisting of curved bico
ntinuous lipid bilayer in three dimensions, separating two congruent networ
ks of water channels. The unique structure of cubic phase has been extensiv
ely studied using various spectroscopic techniques and their resemblance to
biomembranes has prompted many scientists to study behavior of proteins in
cubic phases. The ability of cubic phase to incorporate and control releas
e of drugs of varying size and polar characteristics, and biodegradability
of lipids make it an interesting drug delivery system for various routes of
administration. Cubic phases have been shown to deliver small molecule dru
gs and large proteins by oral and parenteral routes in addition to local de
livery in vaginal and periodontal cavity. A number of different proteins in
cubic phase appear to retain their native conformation and bioactivity, an
d are protected from chemical and physical inactivation perhaps due to the
reduced activity of water and biomembrane-like structure of cubic phase. Re
lease of drugs from cubic phase typically show diffusion controlled release
from a matrix as indicated by Higuchi's square root of time release kineti
cs. Incorporation of drug in cubic phase can cause phase transformation to
lamellar or reversed hexagonal phase depending on the polarity and concentr
ation of the drug, which may affect the release profile. Biodegradability,
phase behavior, ability to deliver drugs of varying sizes and polarity and
the ability to enhance the chemical and/or physical stability of incorporat
ed drugs and proteins make the cubic phase gel an excellent candidate for u
se as a drug delivery matrix. However, shorter release duration and the ext
remely high viscosity may limit its use to specific applications such as pe
riodontal, mucosal, vaginal and short acting oral and parenteral drug deliv
ery. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.