ABSTRACT:
The present study involves formulation and evaluation of vesicular drug carrier system a proniosomal gel for delivery of an antifungal agent, clotrimazole. Proniosomes are vesicular systems, in which vesicles are made up of non-ionic based surfactants, cholesterol and other additives like lecithin. Proniosomes is a promising drug delivery system which is developed to stabilize niosomal drug delivery system without affecting its properties. Proniosomal gel (PNG) formulations were prepared by coacervation phase separation method. These proniosomes were characterized for vesicles size, entrapment efficiency, invitro drug release profiles by using Keshary Chein (KC) diffusion cell and stability study. Vesicle size of the formulation depends on composition and different ratios of ingredients. The effects of different ratios of non-ionic surfactants on permeability profile were assessed. It was observed that higher value of span 65 produced vesicles of smaller size and higher entrapement efficiency. The formulation M3 exibited higher entrapment efficiency of 74.92±0.98 % and in vitro cumulative drug release of 88.45±0.90 %. Proniosomes may be a promising carrier for clotrimazole and other drugs, especially due to their simple production.