Intrinsic and Dynamic Heterogeneity of Nonlamellar Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Nanodispersions

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Nonlamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) nanoparticles are a family of versatile nano-self-assemblies, which are finding increasing applications in drug solubilization and targeted drug delivery. LLC nanodispersions are heterogeneous with discrete nanoparticle subpopulations of distinct internal architecture and morphology, frequently coexisting with micelles and/or vesicles. Diversity in the internal architectural repertoire of LLC nanodispersions grants versatility in drug solubilization, encapsulation, and release rate. However, drug incorporation contributes to the heterogeneity of LLC nanodispersions, and on exposure to biological media, LLC nanodispersions often undergo nanostructural and morphological transformations. From a pharmaceutical perspective, coexistence of multiple types of nanoparticles with diverse structural attributes, together with media-driven transformations in colloidal characteristics, brings challenges in dissecting biological and therapeutic performance of LLC nanodispersions in a spatiotemporal manner. Here, we outline innate and acquired heterogeneity of LLC nanodispersions and discuss technological developments and alternative approaches needed to improve homogeneity of LLC formulations for drug delivery applications.

Original languageEnglish
JournalACS Nano
Volume17
Issue number22
Pages (from-to)22183–22195
ISSN1936-0851
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Chemical Society

    Research areas

  • Cubosomes, Hexosomes, Internal nanoarchitectural arrangements, Inverse nonlamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline phases, Media-driven colloidal transformations, Morphological heterogeneity, Versatile characterization toolbox

ID: 375719872