In Vitro Evaluation of Proniosomes as a Drug Carrier for Flurbiprofen

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation is to formulate and evaluate proniosomal transdermal carrier systems for flurbiprofen. Proniosomes were prepared using various non-ionic surfactants, namely span 20 (Sp 20), span 40 (Sp 40), span 60 (Sp 60) and span 80 (Sp 80) without and with cholesterol at percentages ranging from 0% to 50%. The effect of surfactant type and cholesterol content on drug release was investigated. Drug release was tested by diffusion through cellophane membrane and rabbit skin. Drug release from the prepared systems was compared to that from flurbiprofen suspensions in distilled water and HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) gels. In case of Sp 20 and Sp 80, the added amount of cholesterol affected the preparation type to be either proniosomal alcoholic solutions or liquid crystalline gel systems. On the other hand, both Sp 40 and Sp 60 produced gel systems in presence or absence of cholesterol. Microscopic observations showed that either proniosomal solutions or gel formulations immediately converted to niosomal dispersions upon hydration. Due to the skin permeation barrier, rabbit skin showed lower drug diffusion rates compared to cellophane membrane. The proniosomal composition controlled drug diffusion rates to be either faster or slower than the prepared flurbiprofen suspensions in HPMC gels or distilled water, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the possibility of using proniosomal formulations for transdermal drug delivery.

Development and optimization of boswellic acid-loaded proniosomal gel

“…Different formulations were prepared using varying concentrations of Span 40. There are reports that noisome formed in span 40 proniosomal gel demonstrates higher percentage drug entrapment because of the fact that span 40 is solid at room temperature, has highest phase transition temperature, low permeability and act as gelator (Ibrahim et al, 2008;Mokhtar et al, 2008;Alam et al, 2010). It was observed that decrease in concentration of surfactant results in reduction in the entrapment of the drug and also the overall size of the noisome which may happen due to insufficient material to form a bilayer and encapsulate the drug efficiently.…”

Niosomes: a review of their structure, properties, methods of preparation, and medical applications

“…Preparation of proniosomes, which are a dried form of niosomes, might overcome the limitations mentioned because proniosomes hydrate immediately before use to yield an aqueous niosome dispersion [44]. Studies have found that proniosomes carried better therapeutic efficacy for anti-inflammatory drugs (flurbiprofen and piroxicam) administrated via a transdermal route [45,46].…”

Enhancing Transdermal Delivery of Glimepiride Via Entrapment in Proniosomal Gel

“…On the other hand, proniosomal gel is formed of floccules of small vesculating particles which have a creamy opaque appearance. 18 …”