Liquid crystals: An approach in drug delivery

Abstract

Liquid crystal systems are attracting significant attention due to their unique microstructures and physicochemical properties. Liquid crystals are becoming the choicest system for R and D professionals in the formulation development sector. Drug delivery to desired biological targets can effectively be achieved using liquid crystals system. Liquid crystalline phases are formed via three routes, the molecular shape, micro-segregation effects and chirality. The objective of the present review was to provide information on different forms of liquid crystal systems along with unique physicochemical properties and possible utilization of the unique physicochemical properties of the systems in pharmaceutical formulation development. This review summarized characterization of liquid crystal mesophases highlighting the multidisciplinary application of liquid crystals in drug delivery with respect to cubic and hexagonal phases.