DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACECLOFENAC-LOADED NANOSPONGE GEL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, in which immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body. Aceclofenac is a phenyl acetic acid derivative and NSAID with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. Nanosponges were prepared by the Emulsion solvent diffusion method with varying concentrations of Ethyl cellulose and Poly vinyl alcohol. FTIR and DSC study reports confirmed the absence of incompatibilities between the drug and the excipients. Nine Nanosponge formulations were prepared (F1- F9) and evaluated for particle size, PDI, Production yield, entrapment efficiency, Zeta potential, SEM analysis, in-vitro drug release and kinetic studies. The kinetic data analysis of Nanosponges fit to Higuchi model and follows Zero order kinetics. All the Nanosponge formulations were incorporated into 1% Carbopol gel base to produce drug loaded Nanosponge gel. The drug-loaded Nanosponge gel was evaluated for physical properties, pH, Viscosity, Spreadability, Extrudability, Drug content and in-vitro drug release, in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity, ex-vivo permeation study, kinetic study and stability study. These findings suggest that the Nanosponges will be potentially useful for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis providing prolonged drug release and good stability.