Abstract

FORMULATION AND OPTIMISATION OF CIMETIDINE PRONIOSOMES: AN IN VITRO AND EX VIVO STUDY

Ramya Devi A.*, Prince R., Abinaya M., Gayathri R. and Mohan S.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a proniosomal system for cimetidine, a potent H2 receptor antagonist that could efficiently deliver entrapped drug over a prolonged period. Methods: The proniosomal system was formulated by selecting various ratios of span 40 and cholesterol using a coacervation- phase separation method. The formulated system were characterized for vesicle size determination by the particle size analyser, % drug encapsulation, drug-release profiles, drug content and vesicular stability at different storage conditions. Results: By using this method, the % drug loading that resulted by the encapsulation of proniosome was found to be 68%- 78%. Increase in cholesterol and surfactant concentration increases encapsulation efficiency, but further increment decreases encapsulation. In vitro drug release studies showed prolonged release of entrapped Cimetidine. The ex vivo data on the release of Cimetidine from proniosomal formulations have shown significantly increased per cent release and flux in comparison to the same dose of marketed preparation of Cimetidine. Stability studies were carried out in refrigerated conditions, and higher drug retention was observed. Conclusion: It is evident from this study that proniosomes are a promising prolonged delivery system for Cimetidine and have reasonably good stability characteristics.

Keywords: Proniosomes, Cimetidine Proniosomes, in vitro release, Prolonged Release, Ex Vivo Permeation Studies.