PRONIOSOMAL GEL: A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC TOPICAL / TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Today, Nanotechnology is widely used for leading new dosage forms. Vesicular drug delivery system is expanding as one of advanced nanotechnology. Delivery of drugs using colloidal particulate carriers and liquid crystalline compact niosomal hybrid such as niosome and proniosomes has peculiar advantages over conventional dosage forms. Proniosomes is a dry formulation using suitable carrier coated with non-ionic surfactant and can be converted into niosome immediately before use by hydration. These vesicles are amphiphilic molecules having capability of entrapping both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Vesicular systems are lamellar structures composed of amphiphilic molecules surrounded by an aqueous environment. The non-ionic surfactants are preferred in the proniosomes preparation than cationic, anionic, and ampholytic surfactants because they have the ability to increase solubility which helps in increasing solubility and bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. The versatile vesicular drug delivery through the transdermal route is advantageous due to the vesicles tendency to attach and adhere to the cell surface and causes increased permeation rate. However, the major pathways for drug permeation in the tissues is through sweat glands, stratum corneum layer, and hair follicle associated with sebaceous glands. Primarily, proniosomal gel is a compact semi-solid liquid crystalline (gel) product of non-ionic surfactants easily prepared on dissolving the surfactant in a minimal amount of acceptable solvent and the least amount of aqueous phase. This article provides an overview of the formulation, evaluation, and application of proniosomal gel as a carrier for topical drug delivery.