Strategies in transdermal and mucosal drug delivery systems:role of lyotropic liquid crystal

Lyotropic liquid crystal system is formed by the amphiphilic molecules dissolving in polar solvents with a special geometric structure. Lamellar, cubic and hexagonal mesophases are some of the most common lyotropic liquid crystal systems. Recently, they have attracted much research attention because of their distinctive structures and physico-chemical properties(like strong bioadhesion, high permeability, low liquidity, and slow released drug), and have been widely used as carriers for drug delivery systems, especially in transdermal and mucosal fields. According to the research about lyotropic liquid crystal and nasal route of administration in our group, and the related references in recent years, we investigate the technical strategies about the using of lyotropic liquid crystal in transdermal and mucosal drug delivery system. Among them, we specially put the emphasis on the application prospects of lyotropic liquid crystal in the nasal mucosal administration, and then provide a theoretical basis and future research directions in the development of lyotropic liquid crystal in transdermal and mucosal administration fields.