Formulation and characterization of niosomes for controlled delivery of tolmetin

Abstract

The main objective of the present study is to formulate of tolmetin niosomes as vesicular carrier in which the tolmetin incorporated inside the vesicle for prolonged duration of action and select the optimum formula after characterization. Tolmetin is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Niosomes are formed by thin film hydration method by hydrating mixture of different amount of cholesterol and non-ionic surfactants like span20, 40, 80 and tween 20,40, 80. Effect of type and amount of non-ionic surfactants, amount of cholesterol, and the effect of ultrasonication time were studied. The prepared niosomal dispersion were evaluated for their entrapment efficiency, physical stability, in vitro dissolution study, particle size
and zeta potential, the niosomes morphology were also tested using optical microscope and TEM. Among the formulations, Tolmetin niosomal dispersion prepared by using span80 with cholesterol in molar ratio of 4:1 and sonicated for 3 min, showed spherical vesicles with entrapment efficiency of 87.4± 0.8%, mean vesicular diameter of 286 nm, zeta potential of –33.5 mV, and in-vitro drug release of 92± 1.2% in 24 hr. The results indicated niosomal formulation could be one of the promising delivery systems for tolmetin with improved delivery and controlled drug release profile.