AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the biopharmaceutical mechanisms of cubosome-mediated skin delivery, including bioadhesion, stratum corneum lipid fluidization, controlled release, enhanced cellular uptake, and improved bioavailability. Literature from 2006-2026 was collected from Scopus, PubMed, and patent databases, covering localized applications such as dermatological disorders, wound healing, fungal infections, alopecia, inflammatory skin diseases, and oncology, as well as systemic therapies including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes mellitus, and hormone replacement therapy. Recent advances, including microneedle integration, thermosensitive hydrogels, stimuli-responsive systems, and surface-engineered cubosomes, are also highlighted.
EXPERT OPINION: Cubosomes represent a promising platform for advanced skin delivery. Optimal performance depends on the therapeutic goal, with systemic delivery requiring enhanced permeation and sustained absorption, whereas localized therapy prioritizes intradermal retention and tissue depot formation with minimal systemic exposure. Despite strong preclinical evidence, further studies on long-term safety, manufacturing standardization, and clinical validation are essential for successful clinical translation and commercialization of cubosome-based skin delivery.
METHODS: The galactose-fed rats were topically treated with liposomal MgT (LMgT), liposomal taurine (LTau), or corresponding vehicles twice daily for 28 days with weekly anterior segment imaging. At the end of the experimental period, the lenses were removed and subjected to analysis for oxidative and nitrosative stress, Ca and Mg levels, ATP content, Ca(2+)-ATPase, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, and calpain II activities.
RESULTS: The LTau and LMgT groups showed significantly lower opacity index values at all time points compared to the corresponding vehicle groups (p<0.001). However, the opacity index in the LMgT group was lower than that in the LTau group (p<0.05). Significantly reduced oxidative and nitrosative stress was observed in the LTau and LMgT groups. The lens Ca/Mg ratio in LMgT group was decreased by 1.15 times compared to that in the LVh group. Calpain II activity in the LMgT group was decreased by 13% compared to the LVh group. The ATP level and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were significantly increased in the LMgT group compared to the LVh group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Topical liposomal MgT delays cataractogenesis in galactose-fed rats by maintaining the lens mineral homeostasis and reducing lenticular oxidative and nitrosative stress.