Formulation and Evaluation of Niosomal Drug Delivery System of Ketoprofen

Abstract

Purpose: Targeted drug delivery systems are used to deliver drugs to specific areas in definite concentration. Ketoprofen, belongs to NSAID, has various side effects associated with oral administration and also has less rate of permeation through skin from topical formulations. With an intention to increase skin permeability of ketoprofen through the skin by the use of vesicular structures called niosomes this study was undertaken. Methodology: In this particular study, niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration technique and ether injection technique. A topical niosomal gel was prepared by incorporating niosomes into 2% carbopol gel. Findings: Formulations prepared by thin film hydration technique, using drug, tween 40 and cholesterol in a ratio of 1:1:1 resulted in better entrapment efficiency and vesicular size in comparison to ether injection method. Evaluation: The niosomal formulations were characterised for vesicle size distribution, SEM and zeta potential. The best formulation (F16) was selected on the basis of drug entrapment efficiency of 83.63 ± 0.11% and in vitro diffusion profile. Conclusion: A comparative ex-vivo permeation study of niosomal gel against marketed gel, 2.5% w/w gel on excised rat abdominal skin model indicateda two-fold increase in permeation in comparison to marketed gel and a three fold increase in permeation in comparison to 2.5% w/w ketoprofen gel formula.