Nanoemulsion based gel for transdermal delivery of meloxicam: physico-chemical, mechanistic investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present investigation was to develop a nanoemulsion (NE) gel formulation for the transdermal delivery of meloxicam (MLX) in order to ensure maximum controlled and sustained drug release capacity.


METHODS
The MLX containing NE gel was prepared and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, pH, rheology, in vitro drug release, in vitro skin permeation, and in vitro hemolysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of MLX-NE gel treated rat skin was performed to investigate the skin permeation mechanism of meloxicam from NE gel. Skin permeation potential of the developed gel formulation was assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The in vivo toxicity of MLX-NE gel was assessed by histopathological examination in rat. The rat paw edema test was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of MLX-NE gel.


RESULTS
Percutaneous absorption studies demonstrated a higher permeation of meloxicam from NE gel, than the drug solution. FTIR and DSC studies supported stratum corneum lipid extraction as a possible penetration enhancer mechanism for MLX-NE gel. CLSM studies confirmed the permeation of the NE gel formulation to the deeper layers of the skin (up to 130 μm). MLX-NE gel turned out to be non-irritant, biocompatible, and provided maximum inhibition of paw edema in rats over 24 h in contrast to MLX solution.


CONCLUSIONS
The nanoemulsion gel formulation may hold promise as an effective alternative for the transdermal delivery of meloxicam.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar - 143104, India.
S
S
Khurana
N K
NK
Jain
P M S
PM
Bedi
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D002351:Carrageenan; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D012212:Rheology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013499:Surface Properties; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005782:Gels; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D002351:Carrageenan; D000077239:Meloxicam