| Autor: |
Oliveira C; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal., Ferreira CJO; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal.; CF-UM_UP Department of Physics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal., Sousa M; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal., Paris JL; Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, 29590 Málaga, Spain.; Allergy Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, 29590 Málaga, Spain., Gaspar R; INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal., Silva BFB; INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal., Teixeira JA; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal., Ferreira-Santos P; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal., Botelho CM; CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. |
| Abstrakt: |
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. |
