FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF GLICLAZIDE ETHOSOMES AS A NOVEL DRUG CARRIER

The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate transdermal potential ethosomes bearing anti-diabetic drug Gliclazide. Total eight formulations (F₁-F₈) of ethosomes were prepared by using cold method with three different concentrations of phospholipid (0.5, 1, 2 % w/w) and ethanol (10, 20, 30 % v/v) and it was compared with hydroethanolic solution. They were evaluated for vesicular shape, size, entrapment efficiency and in-vitro studies. The formulation F₆ (ethanol 20 % v/v and phospholipid (1 % w/w) was selected as the best formulation due to its optimum vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, less turbidity and maximum in- vitro release. The stability studies performed on F₆ formulation at two different temperatures of 25º ± 2ºC and 4º ± 2ºC for the period of 6 months also shows the satisfactory results. It was further incorporated into gel using carbopol 934 (1, 1.5, 2 % w/w) as a base. The carbopol concentration of 1.5% w/w gives the maximum in-vitro release of 96.06 ± 0.16 % in dialysis membrane and ex-vivo release of 79.67 ± 0.35 % in case of skin of mice. The results showed the potential of ethosomes of being a safe and very efficient drug carrier for transdermal delivery of drug