title: Gel-embedded niosomes: preparation, characterization and release studies of a new system for topical drug delivery.
abstract: In the present paper physical gels, prepared with two polysaccharides, Xanthan and Locust Bean Gum, and loaded with non-ionic surfactant vesicles, are described. The vesicles, composed by Tween20 and cholesterol or by Tween85 and Span20, were loaded with Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate for release experiments. Size and zeta (ζ)-potential of the vesicles were evaluated and the new systems were characterized by rheological and dynamo-mechanical measurements. For an appropriate comparison, a Carbopol gel and a commercial gel for topical applications were also tested. The new formulations showed mechanical properties comparable with those of the commercial product indicating their suitability for topical applications. In vitro release experiments showed that the polysaccharide network protects the integrity of the vesicles and leads to their slow release without disruption of the aggregated structures. Furthermore, being the vesicles composed of molecules possessing enhancing properties, the permeation of the loaded drugs topically delivered can be improved. Thus, the new systems combine the advantages of matrices for a modified release (polymeric component) and those of an easier permeability across the skin (vesicle components). Finally, shelf live experiments indicated that the tested gel/vesicle formulations were stable over 1 year with no need of preservatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marianecci
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: maria.carafa@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carafa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Marzio
authors.affiliation: Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Meo
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alhaique
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matricardi
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005685:Galactans / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006601:Hexoses / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry*; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry*; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005685:Galactans; D005782:Gels; D006601:Hexoses; D008081:Liposomes; D008351:Mannans; D053149:Plant Gums; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D011136:Polysorbates; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C006912:carboxypolymethylene; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; C014822:sorbitan monolaurate; C002563:xanthan gum; C017471:locust bean gum
keywords: Locust Bean Gum; Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate; Reology; Surfactant vesicles; Xanthan gum