Formulation and Development of Niosomes Loaded Hydrogel to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Introduction: Niosomal vesicles are a soluble matrix that can be used as a rate-limiting membrane barrier to alter systemic drug absorption by dermal drug delivery, as a local repository for medications that must be released gradually, or as a permeation enhancer for dermally active substances. Niosomes have attracted attention due to their chemical resistance, high reliability, material consistency, low cost, ease of storage of nonionic surfactants, and the availability of surfactants for their production. Flurbiprofen, a BCS class II medication with low solubility (8 mg/L) and high permeability (Log P = 3.80), is seen to be a good option for niosome formulation in order to address issues including short half-life, limited bioavailability, and stomach side effects.

Objectives: To Control/ modify release of drug at specific site and hence dose and dose frequency can be decreased thereby obtaining greater therapeutic efficacy. To Show better in-vitro release/ diffusion performance than conventional dosage forms.

Methods: Flurbiprofen loaded niosomes were prepared using the Ether Injection method, and the main effect, interaction effects, and quadratic effects were evaluated using 3² FFD (Quality by Design) using Design Expert Software (VR 10.0.1). Span 60 (X1) and cholesterol (X2) were chosen as independent variables with low, medium, and high values to maximize the niosomes. Particle size (Y1) and Entrapment Efficacy (Y2) were the dependent variables.

Results: Flurbiprofen Niosomes loaded hydrogel were having 94.25±1.32 CDR in 10 hrs which clearly indicates better in vitro release/diffusion than conventional dosage form as well as shows better patient compliance. Also, it indicates controlled release pattern at specific site in reduced dose frequency.