DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF NIOSOMES OF FAMOTIDINE

Abstract

The present study was focused on formulation and evaluation of niosomes of famotidine,with the objective to optimize the prepared niosomal formulations of famotidine on the basis of effect of type of surfactant, effect of Surfactant : Cholesterol ratio, effect of Cholesterol : di cetyl phosphate (DCP) ratio, effect of solvents and effect of Hydration media on entrapment efficiency of prepared drug loaded formulations. The effect of presence of charge inducing agent DCP on entrapment efficiency, vesicle size and size distribution studies was studied along with its effect on polydispersity index. The results indicated that the niosomes prepared with the inclusion of DCP and cholesterol showed better entrapment efficiencies as compared to niosomes that were formulated without DCP. Span 60 containing formulation NMS7 with cholesterol to surfactant ratio 1:1 formulated with DCP elicited highest entrapment efficiency with desired vesicle size range well suited for oral delivery. It was also found that the inclusion of charge inducing agent was useful in reducing the vesicle size and improving the homogeneity and stability of the niosomal formulations. Niosome formulation after proper adjustments of these formulation variables was found helpful to improve famotidine entrapment in niosomal vesicles along with controlling the vesicle size of prepared niosomes. These improvements might prove helpful in developing more effective and efficient drug delivery system.