Formulation and Evaluation of Desonide Loaded Niosomes Prepared by Film Hydration Technique Using Box-Behnken Design

Abstract

The use of topical calcineurin inhibitors is a treatment method for the chronic illness psoriasis. Topical medication administration is extremely difficult, nevertheless, because to the physicochemical makeup of psoriatic stratum corneum. The present study aims to explore the potential of niosomes to improve the topical delivery of Desonide (penetration and deposition) for effective treatment of psoriasis. The niosomes were prepared by film hydration method using Cholesterol, Span 80 and Carbopol 940 (gelling agent). A Box-Behnken (BB) design, using Design-Expert® software, was employed to statistically optimize formulation variables. Three independent variables were evaluated: Span 80 (X1), Cholesterol (X2) and Sonication Time (X3). The Vesicle size (Y1: PS nm) and Entrapment Efficiency (Y2: EE %) were selected as dependent variables. The Vesicle size were obtained in a range between 114 nm to 216 nm, EE% was found in a range between 72% to 88%, PDI value is found between 0.31 to 0.45. From the optimization result it was proved that the vesicle size was increased with decreased concentration of span 80. Sonication Time has an inverse relationship with vesicle size. In vitro permeation testing was performed, and it was observed that the skin permeation and retention was better with Desonide loaded Niosomal gel compared to the conventional gel dosage form of Desonide.