Cubosomal Nanocarriers for Diabetic Wound Healing: Advances in Synthetic and Herbal Drug Delivery

Abstract

Diabetic wounds remain one of the most challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, characterized by
impaired angiogenesis, prolonged inflammation, microbial infection, and delayed tissue regeneration.
Conventional therapies often fail to achieve effective drug penetration, sustained release, and targeted
action at the wound site. In recent years, cubosomal nanocarriers have emerged as promising platforms for
dermal and transdermal drug delivery, offering structural stability, high entrapment efficiency, and the
ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Their unique bicontinuous cubic phase
architecture enhances skin permeation and provides controlled release, making them highly suitable for
chronic wound management. This review highlights the advances in cubosome-based delivery of synthetic
drugs (such as antidiabetic agents, antimicrobials, and growth modulators) and herbal actives (such as
flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols), with a focus on synergistic approaches that combine the
pharmacological precision of synthetic drugs with the multi-targeted therapeutic benefits of
phytoconstituents. We further discuss formulation strategies, characterization techniques, preclinical
findings, and translational challenges that must be addressed to realize their clinical potential. Cubosomal
nanocarriers thus represent a frontier in the design of multifunctional topical systems aimed at accelerating
wound closure, minimizing infection, and restoring skin integrity in diabetic patients.