Niosomal Dispersion Research Articles

A Review on Proniosomes as a Novel Drug Delivery System.

Proniosomes are desiccated versions of surfactant-coated, water-soluble carrier particles. Before usage, on agitation in heated aqueous solution, they are rehydrated in a matter of minutes to create niosomal dispersion. In storage and transit, proniosomes maintain their physical stability. The drug contained within the proniosomes’ vesicular structure increases the drug’s potency, improves its absorption into the target tissue, and lowers its toxicity. Niosomes are technically more promising than liposomes as drug carriers since they are more chemically stable and don’t have many of the glitches of liposomes, like high cost and problems with phospholipid purity. Focusing on proniosome preparation, characterization, and application in targeted drug delivery, this study highlights their general approaches.

Variables Affecting the Preparation and Characterization of Axitinib as Oral Niosmoes

Axitinib is anticancer drug act on different solid tumors by inhibtion protein kinase enzyme which is responsible for support the tumors with blood demand. Due to its low solubility, it has low bioavailability when given orally also it is affected by liver metabolism. Axitinib formulated as non-ionic vesicles (niosomes) for the first time to study the effect of different variables on the in vitro behaviour of vesicles in a hope to improve drug oral bioavailability. Niosomal dispersion formulas were formulated by diverse techniques via multiple kinds of surface-active agent (tween also span), cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate then evaluated for visual appearance, efficiency of drug entrapment (EE%), size of the vesicles, poly dispersity index, zetapotential, viscosity, invitro drug release and study the vesicles morphology by FE-SEM. Many variables effect on EE% were studied such as effect of surfactant amount and type, effect of surfactant combination, impact of various ratios of cholesterol, impact of DCP in various amount , effect of preparation method and effect of sonication time. The results showed that the EE% between (50.97%-98.24%), the particle size was found within the range (64.5 nm - 530.79 nm), zeta potential which was between ( -16.6 to -31 mV), polydispersity index (PDI) <1 and viscosity between (584 – 889.6) centipoise. The niosomal dispersion F1 which contained 1:1 weight ratio (span60: cholesterol) was found with high EE% (96.5±0.16%), smallest particle size (64.5±0.5 nm), highest drug release (100%) of drug released at the end of 4 hours and FE-SEM photograph showed that niosomes were spherical with no aggregation and had a smooth surface. The results showed that thin film hydration method with sonication for four minutes was the best method for preparation of axitinib niosomes, the type and amount of surfactants used, cholesterol ratio, stabilizer and the time of sonication had a substantial effect on EE%, the size of the vesicles as well as drug release; which were investigated so as to optimize the niosomal dispersion of anti-tumour drug reaching to an optimum formula that may improve drug bioavailability. Key words: Axitinib, Anticancer, Vesicles, Surfactants, Invitro behaviour, Entrapment efficiency.

Span 60/Cholesterol Niosomal Formulation as a Suitable Vehicle for Gallic Acid Delivery with Potent In Vitro Antibacterial, Antimelanoma, and Anti-Tyrosinase Activity.

Natural compounds such as gallic acid (GA) have attracted more attention in cosmetic and pharmaceutical skin care products. However, the low solubility and poor stability of GA have limited its application. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize the GA niosomal dispersion (GAN) and investigate the potential of an optimal formulation as a skin drug delivery system for GA. For this purpose, GAN formulations were synthesized using the thin layer evaporation method with different molar ratios of Tween 60/Span 60, along with a constant molar ratio of polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG-4000) and cholesterol in a methanol and chloroform solvent (1:4 v/v). The physicochemical properties of nanosystems in terms of size, zeta potential, drug entrapment, drug release, morphology, and system-drug interaction were characterized using different methods. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity, anti-tyrosinase activity, and antibacterial activity were evaluated by MTT assay, the spectrophotometric method, and micro-well dilution assay. All formulations revealed a size of 80-276 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) values below 0.35, and zeta potential values below-9.7 mV. F2 was selected as the optimal formulation due to its smaller size and high stability. The optimal formulation of GAN (F2) was as follows: a 1:1 molar ratio of Span 60 to cholesterol and 1.5 mM GA. The release of the F2 drug showed a biphasic pattern, which was fast in the first 12 h until 58% was released. Our results showed the high antibacterial activity of GAN against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The MTT assay showed that GA encapsulation increased its effect on B6F10 cancer cells. The F2 formulation exhibited potent anti-tyrosinase activity and inhibited melanin synthesis. These findings suggest that it can be used in dermatological skin care products in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries due to its significant antibacterial, anti-melanoma, and anti-tyrosinase activity.

Formulation, Evaluation, And Optimization of Coscinium Fenestratum-Based Niosomal In-Situ Gel for Anti-Cataract

Coscinium fenestratum is a sturdy, creeping, woody plant that grows with a cylindrical, yellowish stem that belongs to the family Menispermaceae and is commonly known as tree turmeric. The research aims to develop a niosomal in-situ gel by incorporating a novel drug carrier, such as a niosome containing herbal extract for treating cataracts. The niosomal carrier was prepared by varying concentrations of two surfactants, while the herbal drug and cholesterol concentration was kept constant. The optimization of the niosome was done based on the size and shape of the vesicle obtained from SEM analysis. The optimized niosomal dispersion was then converted to a niosomal in-situ gel, and evaluations were carried out, like pH, viscosity, gelling capacity, gel strength, and isotonicity. From the preliminary phytochemical screenings of Coscinium fenestratum, the ethanolic extract showed the intense presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins. The drug-loaded niosomes were stable in HPMC, HPMC K15M, and Carbopol 940 ocular in-situ Gel, and the optimum HLB value of the surfactant span 60 made this formulation more stable. The Brookfield viscometer determined the viscosity, which is an important factor in determining the residence time of the drug in the eye. It possessed good viscosity of about 982.66 ± 1.52 cps. From a gelling capacity study conducted, it was found that the niosomal in-situ Gel possesses immediate gelation and remains for an extended period. The gel strength of niosomal in-situ Gel was 1.30 ± 0.006 sec, and when subjected to isotonicity testing, the results were acceptable. Stability studies were conducted at two different temperatures where no color changes occurred, and there was not much difference in parameters like pH, viscosity, gelling capacity, and gel strength. So it was concluded that the niosomal in-situ Gel of Coscinium fenestratum can be an alternative method to reduce the drawbacks of conventional ophthalmic dosage forms.

Formulation And In Vitro Evaluation Of Fluconazole Niosomal Gel For Topical Drug Delivery

Fluconazole, a macrolide antibiotic, is employed to treat certain susceptible bacteria. Niosomes play a significant role in drug delivery since they can alter pharmacokinetics and bioavailability characteristics, as well as minimise toxicity. Niosomes are becoming more and more crucial in the administration of drugs. While decreasing the drug's systemic absorption, topically administered niosomes can lengthen the duration that medications remain in the stratum corneum and epidermis. Fluconazole-loaded topical gel niosomes are intended to be developed and evaluated in this study. Span 20, 40, 60 (as a non-ionic surfactant) and cholesterol were used to create niosomes by the thin film hydration method (as stable vesicle forming agent). Different dosages of the drugs, surfactants, and cholesterol were used to make niosomes (0.30:1:0.6, 0.6:1:0.6, 0.9:1:0.6). The vesicle size, surface shape, % entrapment effectiveness, drug content, and in vitro drug release of the niosomal dispersion were examined. Using a UV spectrophotometer, the drug concentration and entrapment efficiency were determined at 262 nm. A range of 77.650.25 to 94.120.48 was discovered for the entrapment efficiency. A maximum entrapment efficiency of 94.120.48 was shown for Formulation FS5, which contains Span 60, and 93.900.70 was shown for Formulation FT4, which contains Tween 60. Carbopol 940, glycerol, triethanolamine, and distilled water were used to make fluconazole niosomal gel. Niosomal gel's evaluation was based on its outward appearance, pH, viscosity, drug content, entrapment effectiveness, and in-vitro permeation investigations. The amount of medication released from the niosomal gel was discovered to be 80.76%. The aforementioned data show that encapsulating a fluconazole-loaded niosomal topical gel lengthens drug release, increases drug retention in skin, and enhances cellular permeability.

DOE based Formulation development and Evaluation of Niosomal dispersion of Pregabalin

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prepare pregabalin loaded niosomal dispersion for controlled release of drug and achieve therapeutic effect for longer duration than the available drug delivery. Methods: The niosome carriers were formulated using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol ratio of 1:1. The effects of non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol on the average particle size and percent entrapment efficiency were studied. Optimization of the formulation was performed by factorial design using Design expert software 11.0. Results: Based on the solutions provided by the design expert software, the formulation resulted in the particle size of 490 nm and 92.4% EE as compared to the predicted values of 491.02nm for particle size and 90% EE. The optimized niosome carriers appeared as multilamellar vesicles, as evident by a scanning electron microscopy study. Anticonvulsant activity of the niosomal dispersion was determined by Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced convulsions in mice. Pregabalin-loaded niosomal dispersion displayed a sustained and moderate anticonvulsant effect upto 24 h. Conclusion: Therefore, the present study revealed the possibility of using non-ionic surfactant niosomes as carrier systems for prolonged release of pregabalin.

Xanthium strumarium L. Extract Loaded Phyto-Niosome Gel: Development and In Vitro Assessment for the Treatment of Tinea corporis

Herbal drugs, believed to be safer and do not exhibit such side effects, are used in traditional medicine. The drug's gross therapeutic value is improved when herbal drug delivery methods are combined with modern scientific processes. The ultimate goal of the study is to develop a phyto-niosomal-based drug delivery system that encapsulates Xanthium strumarium L. methanolic extracts. The niosomal dispersion has been evaluated for particle size, PDI, optical microscopy, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, % drug loading, and in vitro release study, and based on the results, formulation N6 containing cholesterol: surfactant ratio of 1:3 with a span 60 was incorporated into carbopol gels (G1 to G4) having concentrations of carbopol 934 0.5%w/w, 1.0%w/w, 1.5%w/w and 2.0%w/w respectively. The phyto-niosomes, in vitro release profile, and in vitro antifungal assay were evaluated. Supported on results obtained, the niosomal dispersion was found to have an improved release profile with 52.83±0.75% release backed by the zone of inhibition data compared to rest formulations. Thus, phyto-niosomes could be a promising carrier for the methanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium L. Antifungal activity for treating Tinea corporis exclusively due to their modest production and effortless production scale-up.

Preparation and Evaluation of a Sustained Release Niosomal Dispersion Containing Niflumic Acid

Objective: This work aims to create and characterize niosomal dispersions for long-term delivery of the anti-inflammatory drug niflumic acid that may be adapted to give a localized effect, prevent gastrointestinal side effects and hepatic metabolism, leading to improve efficacy and patient compliance. Method: The thin film hydration technique was used to make niflumic acid-loaded niosomes. The effects of different concentrations of a non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol, dicetyl phosphate (DCP), sonication time and the effects of drug concentration on encapsulation efficiency were investigated in order to improve the process. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the formulations. The niosomal dispersion formulations were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release, particle size, polydispersity index (pdI), zeta potential, pH and stability study. Results: The optimum niosomal preparation (F15) exhibited pH (7.2), size of the particles (1.04 μm), pdI (0.374), surface charge (-47.4) and efficiency of trapping (91.55%). It gave a rapid release in 15 minutes and increased sustainably over time until reach 96.9% within 24 hours. Conclusion: This research was successful in producing an optimal niosomal dispersion for niflumic acid using different surfactant/cholesterol ratios. The optimum formula provides a sustained release with the initial fast effect of niflumic acid and can be used with a topical dosage form to provide immediate relief that lasts for up to 24 h.

Novel Vesicular Drug Delivery Systems Proniosomes

These proniosomes, which are dry surfactant-coated particles that form niosomal dispersion in hot aqueous fluids immediately on stirring, are the subject of this review paper. It is easier to transport, distribute, store, and administer dosage forms such as proniosomes thanks to their provesicular structure, which reduces the issues of vesicular system physical stability such as aggregation, fusion, and leakage. Lipophilic or amphipilic medications can be delivered effectively by oral route using proniosome powders, which are suitable dosage forms. Proniosome preparation, characterisation, release profile, applications, advantages, and downsides are all discussed in this review in great detail.

Novel Nanoproniosomal Vesicular carriers for the effective and efficient Drug Delivery: Fundamentals, Recent Advancements and Applications

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that has brought the upheaval reforms in the domain of pharmaceutical sciences including the development of nanovesicular drug delivery carriers such as proniosomes, niosomes, liposomes, ethosomes, etc. Among them, proniosomes become superior and they surmount the problems of other vesicular carriers. Proniosomes are nano-sized vesicular structures of dry, free-flowing powder (or) gel with encapsulation of drugs in the vesicle that produce multilamellar niosomal dispersion after hydration and they possess the capacity to enhance solubility, permeability and bioavailability of diverse drugs. Proniosomes are suitable to deliver the drugs efficiently through transdermal route to accomplish controlled release action, increased therapeutic effectiveness to various diseases and upon application to the skin, the proniosmes are modified into niosomes in situ by hydration of water from the skin. This study aims to discuss different aspects of proniosomes such as merits, mechanism, types, components, preparation, characterization, drug release, market scenario, future trends and to explore proniosomes for various pharmaceutical applications in drug delivery via different routes, such as topical, transdermal, oral, parenteral, ocular, vaginal, nebulizer and intranasal routes. These proniosomes-derived niosomes are better and may offer an excellent, inexpensive alternative delivery, much more beneficial than other vesicular and conventional dosage forms.

PRONIOSOMES: A VESICULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

In the development of new dosage forms, drug delivery using nanotechnology is playing a vital role. Vesicular drug delivery systems have gained wide attention in the field of nanotechnology, such as niosomes, liposomes and proniosomes. Among the vesicular carriers, proniosomes are superior. Proniosomes are water-soluble carrier particles that are coated with surfactant so these are dry formulations. They are rehydrated to use on agitation in hot aqueous media within minutes to form niosomal dispersion immediately. Both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugscan be incorporated into these proteasomes. The physical stability problems of niosomes like aggregation, fusion and leaking are minimized in proniosomes, routes, such as oral, parenteral, dermal and transdermal, ocular, oral mucosal, vaginal, pulmonary, and intranasal. Proniosomes prolong the existence of the drug in the systemic circulation and finally reduces toxicity. This review focuses on different aspects of proniosomes such as preparation, characterization, in vitro drug release, entrapment efficiency, applications in the present scenario in the market and future trends.

Development of alendronate niosomal delivery system for gastrointestinal permeability improvement

In this study, the influences of surfactant types, the molar ratio of surfactant and cholesterol, and the molar ratio of drug load and total lipids on the size, zeta potential and drug entrapment efficiency of niosomes were statistically evaluated using a central composite design. Alendronic acid, a bisphosphonate compound was used to study. Stability, in vitro drug release and gastrointestinal permeability improvement of alendronate niosomal dispersion were also studied. The results showed that surfactant types, molar ratios of surfactant to cholesterol and molar ratios of drug load to total lipids had a significant effect on particle size, zeta potential and drug entrapment efficiency of niosomes (P < 0.05). The obtained niosomes were of a unilamellar spherical shape with negative zeta potential values. The niosomes prepared from Span 60 were larger and more entrapment efficient than those prepared from Span 20. In addition, the decrease of molar ratios of Spans and cholesterol resulted in the increase of zeta potential. The particle size and drug entrapment efficiency decrease when the molar ratio of Spans and cholesterol was decreased. Moreover, increase of drug load and total lipid molar ratio resulted in the decrease of zeta potential. However, particle size and drug entrapment efficiency could be increased with increasing molar ratio of drug loading and total lipid. Niosomes prepared from Span 60 showed a slower release rate than those prepared from Span 20. In the stability study, when stored at 4 °C for 90 days, only niosomes prepared from Span 20 have no significant change in particle size, zeta potential and the percentage of drug entrapment. The permeation of alendronate niosomes across Caco-2 cells monolayer showed that the average apparent permeability of alendronic acid from the niosomal dispersion prepared from Span 20 and Span 60 were significantly greater than that of the drug solution. This study revealed that niosomal dispersion can improve the oral bioavailability of alendronic acid.

DEPENDENCE OF THE VISCOSITY COEFFICIENT OF THE NIOSOMAL DISPERSION ON THE TEMPERATURE AND PARTICLE SIZE OF THE DISPERSED PHASE

The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate the dependence of viscosity coefficient of niosomal dispersion based on PEG-12 Dimethicone on the temperature and size of niosomes vesicles. The experiments were carried out with niosomes, the average size of which varied from 85 to 125 nm. The temperature varied from 20 to 60 °C, the volume concentration varied from 1 to 10 %. The particle size was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with subsequent statistical data processing. This study showed that the viscosity of niosomal dispersions significantly depends on both the temperature and the size of niosomes vesicles. With increasing temperature, the viscosity of niosomal dispersions decreases and with increasing particle size, the viscosity increases.

Andrographis paniculata-loaded niosome for wound healing application: Characterisation and in vivo analyses

Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) is widely used as a topical treatment due to its medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and collagen synthesis, which are essential for the wound healing process. Non-ionic surfactant vesicles or niosomes can increase the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs through a biological membrane. Therefore, A. paniculata extract was loaded into the niosome, which acts as a nanocarrier to facilitate the active compound in the delivery system. A standard Soxhlet method was used to extract A. paniculata by using water or ethanol as a solvent. Both extracts were subjected to High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), antioxidant activity and cell culture analysis to determine the best concentration for niosome encapsulation. Niosome was prepared by proniosome-derived niosomal dispersion and homogenized for size reduction. The resulted niosome was incorporated into carbopol gel and the wound healing efficacy was analysed in vivo to evaluate the macroscopic and histology of treated rats. Extraction of A. paniculata by ethanol shows higher andrographolide content (52 ppm) and antioxidant activity at 2.5 mg/mL. Entrapment efficiency (EE) showed that the formulation 1 (0.6 mmol Span60, 0.4 mmol Cholesterol, 0.1 mmol Labrasol) had the highest EE for water and ethanol extract by 97.75% ± 1.28 and 97.21% ± 1.89, respectively. The optimized concentration of 100 ppm was loaded into niosomal gel because it stimulates the proliferation and migration of human skin fibroblast cells. Wound treated by niosomal gel containing A. paniculata ethanol extracts exhibited total recovery by 100%. Prominent collagen fibres and formation hair follicle were observed at the end of 14 days. The present study demonstrates a beneficial effect of A. paniculata-loaded niosomal gel which effectively assist in the wound healing process and protects the tissue from oxidative stress.

Study of some rheological properties of niosomal dispersions of various concentrations based on PEG-12 dimethicone

In recent decades, the creation of new pharmaceutical targeted drug delivery has become widespread. In this regard, various carriers of medicinal substances have been developed. It is worthy to note that niosomes are more prospective in comparison with other carrier, because they are not susceptible to oxidation and they have delayed clearance, thus providing high therapeutic performance. This study aims to investigate some rheological properties of niosomal dispersion and the analysed dependence of viscosity coefficient on volume concentration. The results demonstrated that for low concentrations of niosomal dispersions, the dynamic viscosity coefficient can be estimated using the Einstein’s equation with the introduction of a correction factor, the value of which at an average diameter of 90–100 nm and a zeta potential of 49.5–54.5 mV is 0.04–0.05. It is wished that our work would be helpful to fully understand the structure of niosome aggregates, which are considered to play an important role in viscosity and are affected by both intermolecular and electrostatic forces. With increasing particle concentration and decreasing average distance between aggregates, the particles at the surface of different aggregates attract each other and a less compact aggregation structure is formed. The measured relationships between size, ζ-potential, and the relative viscosities of dispersions show that the relative viscosities decrease with decreasing absolute value of ζ-potential, which further reveals the effect of electrical repulsion forces on the structure of aggregates.

Natamycin niosomes as a promising ocular nanosized delivery system with ketorolac tromethamine for dual effects for treatment of candida rabbit keratitis; in vitro/in vivo and histopathological studies

Objectives: This study was aimed to develop dual-purpose natamycin (NAT)-loaded niosomes in ketorolac tromethamine (KT) gels topical ocular drug delivery system to improve the clinical efficacy of natamycin through enhancing its penetration through corneal tissue and reducing inflammation associated with Fungal keratitis (FK).Significance: Nanosized carrier systems, as niosomes would provide great potential for improving NAT ocular bioavailability.NAT niosomal dispersion formulae were prepared and then incorporated in 0.5%KT gels using different mucoadhesive viscosifying polymers.Methods: Niosomes were prepared using the reverse-phase evaporation technique. In vitro experimental, and in vivo clinical evaluations for these formulations were done for assessment of their safety and efficacy for treatment of Candida Keratitis in Rabbits. In vitro release study was carried out by the dialysis method. In vivo and histopathological studies were performed on albino rabbits.Results: NAT niosomes exhibited high entrapment efficiency percentage (E.E%) up to96.43% and particle size diameter ranging from 181.75 ± 0.64 to 498.95 ± 0.64 nm, with negatively charged zeta potential (ZP). NAT niosomal dispersion exhibited prolonged in vitro drug release (40.96–77.49% over 24h). NAT-loaded niosomes/0.5%KT gel formulae revealed retardation in vitro release, compared to marketed-product (NATACYN®) and NAT-loaded niosomes up to57.32% (F8). In vivo experimental studies showed the superiority for F8 in treatment of candida keratitis and better results on corneal infiltration and hypopyon level. These results were consistent with histopathological examination in comparison with F5 and combined marketed products (NATACYN® and Ketoroline®).Conclusions: This study showed that F8 has the best results from all pharmaceutical in vitro evaluations and a better cure percent in experimental application and enhancing the prolonged delivery of NAT and penetrating the cornea tissues.

Dispersion analysis of niosomes different composition

The aim of this investigation was to study the variability of solutions of niosomes of various compositions under the influence of heating. For the analysis, the methods of scanning electron microscopy and processing of granulometric data were used. Experimental data on the sizes of niosomal vesicles of different compositions were statistically processed and interpreted from the point of view of the possibility of using a temperature factor to control the dispersion of the system. It has been shown that niosomes prepared on the basis of a nonionic surfactant, which is a group of dimethiconecopolyol substances that are esters of the polyethylene glycol and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) of the posterior bone, are more sensitive to the temperature factor, compared to niosomes based on sorbitan monostearate. So, for the first sample, the median size changed from 125 to 85 nm, and for the second sample from 790 to 560 nm. The data obtained made it possible to draw a conclusion about the relationship between the value of the specific surface calculated from the particle size distribution and the aggregative stability of niosomal dispersion.

Propolis-based niosomes as oromuco-adhesive films: A randomized clinical trial of a therapeutic drug delivery platform for the treatment of oral recurrent aphthous ulcers

Oromuco-adhesive films for buccal delivery of Propolis extract (PPE) entrapped in niosomes, were prepared to treat oral recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU). PPE was investigated for antimicrobial compounds. Niosomes composed of span60 and cholesterol were evaluated for particles size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta-potential, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. The formed oromuco-adhesive films containing niosomal PPE were evaluated for swelling, mucoadhesion and elasticity. 24 patients suffering from RAU were divided equally into medicated and placebo groups and participated in this study to examine the onset of ulcer size reduction, complete healing and pain relief. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry revealed the presence of pinocembrin, pinobanksin, chrysin and galangin as antimicrobial flavonoids with total content of 158.7 ± 0.15 µg quercetin equivalents and phenolic content of 180.8 ± 0.11 µg gallic acid equivalents/mg. Multilamellar niosomes of 176–333 nm displayed entrapment efficiency of 91 ± 0.48%, PDI of 0.676 and zeta potential of −4.99. In vitro release after 8 h from niosomal dispersion and films were 64.05% and 29.09 ± 0.13% respectively. Clinical results revealed duration of film adherence from 2–4 h in the two groups. The onset of ulcer size reduction in medicated group was attained within second and third day, complete healing was achieved within first 10 days of treatment and pain relief lasted for more than 4–5 h, in contrast to the placebo group. This oromuco-adhesive films which offer controlled and targeting drug delivery can be proposed as a new therapeutic strategy in the treatment of oral recurrent aphthous ulcer.

Niosomes: A Vesicular Drug Delivery System

Niosomes or Non ionic surfactant vesicles are microscopic lamellar structures formed on admixture of non ionic surfactant of the alkyl or dialkylpolyglycerol ether class and cholesterol with subsequent hydration in aqueous media. Niosomes are unilamellar or multi lamellar structures that are microscopic in size. They are vesicular systems similar to liposomes that can be used as carriers of amphiphilic and lipophilic drugs[1]. The basic process of preparation is hydration by aqueous phase of the lipid phase which may be either a pure surfactant or a mixture of surfactant with cholesterol. Later preparing niosomal dispersion, by dialysis centrifugation or gel filtration the un entrapped drug is separated. The use of dialysis tubing is also included in Invitro rate release. Niosomes have been widely evaluated for controlled release and targeted delivery for treatment of cancer, viral infections and other microbial diseases. Circulation of the entrapped drug in body prolong as niosomes can entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Stable noisome dispersion must exhibit a constant particle size and a constant level of entrapped drug. Niosomes also serve better aid in diagnostic imaging and as a vaccine adjuvant. Niosomes are promising vehicle for drug delivery and being non ionic, it is less toxic and improves the therapeutic index of drug by restricting its action to target cells. They have all the advantages of liposomes but their low cost, greater stability and resultant ease of storage has lead to the exploitation of non ionic surfactants as alternative to phospholipids. This article gives information about the advantages, disadvantages, preparation methods, factors affecting, characterization, Invitro methods, and niosomal applications.[2]

Оценка применимости фотометрического метода для определения размера везикул ниосомальной дисперсии

Оценка применимости фотометрического метода для определения размера везикул ниосомальной дисперсии