Lyotropic liquid crystal systems in drug delivery: a review

Lamellar, cubic and hexagonal mesophases are some of the most common lyotropic liquid crystal systems, and have attracted much research attention because of their distinctive structures and physicochemical properties. Polar lipids and surfactants exhibit a range of phase behavior in an aqueous environment, depending on the composition of the lipids and surfactants. These characteristics have been investigated for a variety of applications in drug delivery, and lyotropic liquid crystal systems have potential as drug carriers for small molecules, peptides, and proteins. In this article we provide an overview of recent advances in the state of the art, including methods of preparation and applications in drug delivery. The scope and limitations of lyotropic liquid crystals for drug delivery are discussed, and future research perspectives are identified. © 2014, The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology.