Open Pharmaceutical Sciences Journal
2016, 3 : 31-48Published online 2016 May 06. DOI: 10.2174/1874844901603010031
Publisher ID: PHARMSCI-3-31
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Optimization of Bifonazole-Loaded Nisomal Formulation Using Plackett-Burman Design and 2 Factorial Design
* Address correspondence to this author at the Dr. L. H. Hiranandani College of Pharmacy, Smt. CHM Campus, Opp. Ulhasnagar Railway Station, Ulhasnagar-421003, Maharashtra, India; Tel: +91-8097148638; E-mail: harshal.dlhhcop@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background:
Bifonazole is an imidazole antifungal drug. It is highly lipophilic drug with a very short half-life and is minimally absorbed following dermal application. Niosomes are excellent candidate as potential drug delivery system because of their improved drug solubilization, enhanced penetration power, long shelf life and ease of preparation and administration.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to enhance permeability of bifonazole by incorporating it into niosomes and formulating its gel formulation.
Method:
Niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration method. The statistical approach was used to optimize the parameters for niosome formation. The process parameters among six factors influencing in vitro diffusion study were identified using plackett burman design. The Plackett–Burnan design described in this study was applied for the identification of the significant factors and 23 factorial design was used to obtain optimized batch. The prepared niosomes were evaluated for various parameters such as vesicular size, drug entrapment, surface morphology, drug release characteristics, ex vivo deposition and stability.
Results:
Niosomal gel showed significantly enhanced drug permeation through the skin as compared to the marketed formulation. The optimized niosomal gel formulation also showed drug release in a controlled manner. The stability study at two different temperatures (25 ± 2°C and and 5 ± 3 °C) confirmed that the optimized formulation is stable even at the end of 3 months.
Conclusion:
It has been concluded that niosomal gel is an efficient carrier for the delivery of bifonazole with improved permeability.