Abstract. Lornoxicam is a potent oxicam class of non steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, prescribed for mild to moderate pain and inflammation. Niosomal gel of lornoxicam was developed for topical application. Lornoxicam niosomes (Lor-Nio) were fabricated by thin film hydration technique. Bilayer composition of niosomal vesicles was optimized. Lor-Nio dispersion was characterized by DSC, XRD, and FT-IR. Morphological evaluation was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lor-Nio dispersion was incorporated into a gel using 2% w/w Carbopol 980 NF. Rheological and texture properties of LorNio gel formulation showed suitability of the gel for topical application. The developed formulation was evaluated for in vitro skin permeation and skin deposition studies, occlusivity test and skin irritation studies. Pharmacodynamic activity of the Lor-Nio gel was performed by carragenan-induced rat paw model. Optimized Lor-Nio comprised of Span 60 and cholesterol in a molar ratio of 3:1 with 30 μM dicetyl palmitate as a stabilizer. It had particle size of 1.125±0.212 μm (d 90 ), with entrapment efficiency of 52.38± 2.1%. DSC, XRD, and IR studies showed inclusion of Lor into niosomal vesicles. SEM studies showed spherical closed vesicular structure with particles in nanometer range. The in vitro skin permeation studies showed significant improvement in skin permeation and skin deposition for Lor-Nio gel (31.41±2.24 μg/ cm 2 , 30.079±1.2 μg/cm 2 ) over plain lornoxicam gel (7.37±1.27 μg/cm 2 , 6.6±2.52 μg/cm 2 ). The Lor-Nio gel formulation showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity by exhibiting mean edema inhibition (87.69± 1.43%) which was significantly more than the plain lornoxicam gel (53.84±2.21%).

Abstract. The purpose of the research was to prepare and evaluate a topical nanolipidgel (NLH) of terbinafine hydrochloride (TRB), an antimycotic agent, for enhanced skin deposition and improved antifungal activity. Topical solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) based nanolipidgel was formulated and evaluated. TRB-loaded SLNs were formulated by high-pressure homogenization technique. The stable TRB SLN dispersion was incorporated into a gel using 1% Carbopol 980 NF. Rheological evaluation and texture analysis of the TRB NLH was carried out. Skin permeation, skin deposition, antifungal activity, and occlusivity studies of the nanolipidgel formulation were carried out. The safety of the TRB NLH gel was evaluated using acute skin irritation test on New Zealand White rabbits. The SLN dispersion containing 10% of glyceryl monostearate, 3% of Tween 80, and 1% Plurol Oleique was the most stable. The optimized TRB SLN had a particle size and zeta potential value of 148.6 ± 0.305 nm and −20.4 ±1.2 mV, respectively. TRB NLH had excellent rheological and texture properties to facilitate its topical application. TRB NLH showed increased skin deposition of the drug over plain (3-fold) and marketed TRB formulation (2-fold). TRB NLH had significantly enhanced antifungal activity against Candida albicans. TRB NLH showed efficient occlusivity and was non-irritant to the rabbit skin with no signs of erythema or edema. Solid lipid nanoparticles-based topical nanolipidgel of terbinafine can be an efficient, industrially scalable, and cost-effective alternative to the existing conventional formulations.KEY WORDS: in vitro antifungal activity; rheological analysis of gel; solid lipid nanoparticles; terbinafine; texture analysis of gel.

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In the current research work, rivastigmine (RV)-loaded in situ gelling nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed for nose to brain delivery. NLCs were fabricated by ethanol injection method using glyceryl monosterate, Capmul MCM C8, Lecithin and Tween 80. NLCs showed average particle size of 123.2 ± 2.3 nm with entrapment efficiency of 68.34 ± 3.4%. DSC, XRD and IR studies showed complete amorphization and incorporation of the drug into nanoparticles. NLCs were incorporated into an in situ gelling system using 0.8% gellan gum and 15% Lutrol F 127. RV in situ gel showed excellent elasticity, rheology, mucoadhesion and adhesiveness to facilitate its adhesion to the upper nasal mucosa. NLC-based in situ gel showed a 2-fold increase in nasal permeation of the drug over plain RV solution. In situ gelling NLCs showed a 3-fold increase in enzyme inhibition efficacy.

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to formulate serratiopeptidase (SER)-loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles for oral delivery. SER is a proteolytic enzyme which is very sensitive to change in temperature and pH. SER-loaded CS nanoparticles were fabricated by ionic gelation method using tripolyphosphate (TPP). Nanoparticles were characterized for its particle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, percent recovery, and in vitro dissolution study. SER-CS nanoparticles had a particle size in the range of 400-600 nm with polydispersity index below 0.5. SER association was up to 80 ±4.2%. SER loading and CS/TPP mass ratio were the primary parameters having direct influence on SER-CS nanoparticles. SER-CS nanoparticles were freeze dried using trehalose (20%) as a cryoprotectant. In vitro dissolution showed initial burst followed by sustained release up to 24 h. In vivo antiinflammatory activity was carried out in rat paw edema model. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity in rat paw edema showed prolonged anti-inflammatory effect up to 32 h relative to plain SER.