Lyotropic Liquid Crystals for Intranasal Drug Delivery: A Review of A Promising Platform For Enhanced Brain Targeting

Liquid crystals (LCs) have gained recognition as a potential drug delivery platform owing to their self-assembling nature and capacity to improve both drug stability and bioavailability. Among these, lyotropic liquid crystal systems—particularly reversed bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal mesophases—are drawing growing attention because of their remarkable microstructures and distinct physicochemical properties. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the role of lyotropic liquid crystals in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in intranasal drug delivery. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of lyotropic liquid crystal-based systems to improve drug permeation and controlled release, with promising applications for brain-targeted therapies. However, challenges such as formulation stability, scalability, and regulatory considerations remain. Future research should focus on optimizing formulation parameters, understanding in vivo behavior, and translating laboratory findings into clinical applications.