Niosomal Gel Research Articles

Nonionic Surfactant Vesicles as a Carrier for Transdermal Delivery of Frusemide

The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate the nonionic surfactant vesicles of frusemide in order to enhance its skin permeation. The process variables which could affect the preparation and properties of the niosome formulation studied included type of spans, ratio of span and cholesterol, ratio of cholesterol and dicetylphosphate (DCP), concentration of drug, type of solvent, hydration media and time of hydration. The formulated niosomes thus were characterized for various parameters such as surface morphology, size, entrapment efficiency, skin permeation, etc. Stability of the niosomes in terms of drug holding capacity was assessed for a period of 30 days on storage under defined conditions. The maximum entrapment efficiency of 77.73±2.36% was obtained with niosomes formulated from Span 60∶Cholesterol∶DCP (47.5∶47.5∶5) using chloroform:methanol (4∶1) as the solvent system at the hydration time of 1 hr. A direct relationship was observed between the percentage leaching of the drug out of the vesicles and temperature. Higher transdermal flux was obtained with niosomal gel (9.2±0.5 μg/cm2/hour) in comparison to conventional gel (6.4±0.3 μg/cm2/hour).

Niosomal Gel for Site-Specific Sustained Delivery of Anti-Arthritic Drug: In Vitro-In Vivo Evaluation

Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor is commonly used in the treatment of arthritis. Recently, cardiotoxic effects associated with conventional modes of delivery of celecoxib have made it pertinent to develop alternate dosage forms capable of selectively delivering the drug topically to affected joints. The aim of the present study was to prepare and characterize niosomal gel formulation for sustained and site-specific delivery of celecoxib. Celecoxib loaded niosomes were prepared and characterized in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo. The results of organ localization (deep skin layer + muscle) study showed that niosomal gel provided 6.5 times higher drug deposition as compared to carbopol gel (195.2+/-8.7 and 30.0+/-1.5 microg, respectively). The muscle to plasma concentration ratio for niosomal gel formulation was six (2.16+/-0.12 microg/g vs. 0.34+/-0.01 microg/ml) and for carbopol gel it was one (0.36+/-0.01 microg/g vs. 0.43+/-0.02 microg/ml). Biological effectiveness of optimized formulation was evaluated using carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. The application of niosomal gel produced significant reduction of rat paw edema as compared to that after application of conventional gel indicating better skin permeation and deposition of celecoxib from niosomes. The results of the present study demonstrated niosomal gel formulation possess great potential for enhanced skin accumulation, prolonging drug release and improving the site specificity of celecoxib.

Efficacy of topical griseofulvin in treatment of tinea corporis

Tinea infections are among the most common dermatological conditions throughout the world. Griseofulvin is a classical oral fungistatic antibiotic, active against Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton and Microsporum species, the causative fungi of tinea corporis. To evaluate the efficacy of topical griseofulvin in the treatment of tinea circinata using three different vehicles for drug delivery. Sixteen patients with tinea circinata were instructed to apply either griseofulvin gel form in group A or a similar placebo gel for control group; a niosomal gel formulation of griseofulvin for group B or; a liposomal gel formulation of griseofulvin for group C. Patients were evaluated both clinically and mycologically after 3 weeks. Marked improvement was seen for groups A, B and C both clinically and mycologically while no improvement was observed in the placebo group. Mild and transient irritation was reported in four patients. Our results show that topical griseofulvin preparations may be effective and safe in treating tinea circinata and that further large-scale studies may establish the high efficacy of the niosomal gel formulation.