Niosomal Gel loaded with Aceclofenac: A controlled drug delivery system

Abstract

The problem with BCS Class 3 & 4 drugs is their permeability. Though easily soluble and compatible with body fluids, topical application of these drugs struggle to get through skin layers effectively, making the solubility part not so useful. Recent studies have made this easy by the use of nano medicine technology such as liposomes, solid nano particles, polymeric micelles etc., These drug delivery systems help the drugs to permeate through the skin and the rest is taken care of, by the drug’s own solubility; in case of class 3 & solubility enhancers in case of class 4. Thus Class 3 & 4 drugs have found a way to effectively deliver the drugs into the body. However, a problem to acknowledge is of Class 2 drugs, which have good permeability but low solubility. This odd combination can be used favourably as a controlled drug delivery system using another nano medicine technology i.e. niosomes. These allows drug’s slow penetration through skin and also slow release of drug, less enough to be soluble in body fluids. In short, the formulation would give us a controlled or delayed drug delivery system. We used this formulation to make a Aceclofenac loaded niosomal gel. We’ve prepared niosomes by ether injection method. Aceclofenac, a very well-known anti-inflammatory agent, is known to have a good pain-killing action with a short half-life (about 4 hours) prompting the subjects to take multiple dosages in a day. So, this drug as a niosomal gel would allow slow release and slow permeation of drug allowing prolonged action of the drug. This effectively lets the subject to administer the formulation in lesser frequency for a prolonged action, increasing the compatibility and patient compliance.