Formulation Development and Characterization of Etodolac Loaded Transethosomes for Transdermal Delivery

Abstract

Etodolac is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. Upon oral administration, it is reported to cause ulcerative colitis, gastrointestinal irritation, edema and peptic ulcer. Hence, an alternative delivery system has been designed in the form of transethosome. The present study describes the preparation, optimization, characterization, and ex vivo study of etodolac-loaded transethosomal gel using the central composite design. Transethosomes (TELs) are elastic vesicles composed of phospholipid, ethanol and edge activator (surfactant). TELs were prepared by thin film hydration method and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, Zeta potential and the transethosomal gel was characterized by clarity, pH, viscosity, spread ability, drug content and in vitro drug release. Microscopic examination of transethosomes showed soft, malleable and spherical vesicles with a smooth surface within the range. Vesicle size and % entrapment efficiency of the optimized transethosomal formulation was found to be 268.1nm and 83.75 0.61% respectively. Zeta potential of the optimized transethosomal formulation was found to be -18.0 mv. The ex-vivo study showed spread ability of transethosomal gel 26± 0.03.Drug content was found to be 98.24 0.024%.In Vitro Drug Release Study of optimised formulations for 12 hrs was found to be 97.35± 0.43%.