ABSTRACT:
To enhance the solubility and permeability of poorly water soluble Valdecoxib, Nanoemulsion gel was formulated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Among the oils,surfactants and co-surfactants elainic acid, tween80 and ethanol were selected as they showed maximum solubility to Valdecoxib.The pseudo ternary phase-diagrams was constructed to find optimal concentration that provided the highest drug loading. The prepared Nanoemulsions were subjected trough thermodynamic stability testing.The droplet size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and zeta-potential were investigated.The optimized formulation of Nanoemusion NE2 which was showing 87.63% drug release was incorporated into polymeric gel of Carbopol940 for convenient application and evaluated for viscosity, PH, in-vitro permeations studies, skin irritation test and anti-inflammatory activity. The in-vitro skin permeations profile of optimized formulation was compared with normal Valdecoxib gel and Nanoemulsiongel NG2.The significant increase in permeability ratio (Kp),flux (Jss) and enhancement ratio (Er) was observed.The anti-inflammatory effect of formulation NG2 showed significant increase 72% inhibition effect in 24hrs when compared to Valdecoxib gel on Carrgeenan induced paw edema in rats. The results suggested that Nanoemulsion gels are potential vehicles for improved transdermal delivery of Valdecoxib.