FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CELECOXIB –LOADED NANOSIZED EMULSION AS TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY VEHICLE

Celecoxib, a selective cyclo- oxygenase – 2 inhibitor has been recommended orally for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis. Long term oral administration of celecoxib produces serious gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore the aim of the present investigation was to assess the potential of nanosized emulsion formulations for transdermal delivery of celecoxib (CXB), to reduce the side effects produced by oral administration of the drug, to increase the stability and to produce a novel controlled delivery system with better pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties. Optimized oil in water nanosized emulsion of celecoxib was prepared by ultra sonication method. The prepared nano- sized emulsion was subjected to physical characterization, Drug content analysis and stability tests. Skin permeation mechanism of celecoxib from nanosized emulsion was evaluated by In-vitro skin permeation studies, activation energy measurement and histopathological examination. The anti-inflammatory effects of formulations were compared with marketed formulation by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The nanosized emulsions showed acceptable physical properties and exhibited slow drug release. Photomicrograph of skin sample supports the in-vitro skin permeation data of Celecoxib. The Results revealed that the nanosized emulsion was able to cross the skin and produce expected Anti inflammatory and Analgesic effect. These results suggested that nanosized emulsions can be used as potential vehicles for improved transdermal delivery of Celecoxib.