DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NON-IONIC SURFACTANT VESICLES FOR OPHTHALMIC DRUG DELIVERY OF DICLOFENAC POTASSIUM

Abstract

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles was developed and characterized for ophthalmic drug delivery of Diclofenac potassium. The present research study is a promising approach to improve corneal penetration and bioavailability characteristics. Formulation also found to ensure a good entrapment efficiency and ocular bioavailability of drug in-vivo. Non-ionic surfactant vesicles containing Diclofenac potassium were prepared using surfactant and cholesterol in different ratio by Lipid film hydration technique. Niosomes were characterized For Entrapment efficiency, Particle size analysis, In-vitro drug release and In-vivo studies. The best formulation selected based on above parameters were subjected for sustained release study. Formulation with low cholesterol content which shown 82.1% Entrapment efficiency, 70.01% sustained release over a period of 10 h followed a non-fickian profile with zero order release profile. Scanning electron micrograph indicated that Niosomes have a discrete spherical structure without aggregation. In-vivo study showed an availability of drug in aqueous humor for an extended time period even up to 8 hour and it showed a correlation with the release profile in-vitro. Non-ionic surfactant vesicles are considered the best as it showed good and high Entrapment efficiency and Vitro release with better bioavailability. The proposed method was found to be precise and selective for the development and characterization of Diclofenac potassium Niosomes. Key words: Diclofenac potassium, corneal penetration, sorbitan mono stearate, Entrapment efficiency, SEM, in vitro release study, HPLC.