Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoparticles as Sustained Release Topical Formulation Containing Non-Steroidal Anti -Inflammatory Drug.

The objective of this work is to prepare flurbiprofen nanoparticles, and then incorporated into the freshly prepared gels for transdermal delivery, providing controlled release of the drug, reducing the oral side effects of the drug and for enhancing stability. Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat gout osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and sunburn. In this study Flurbiprofen nanoparticles are prepared by nanoprecipitation method. A total of 8 batches are prepared by using polymers such as ethyl cellulose, Eudragit L100 and are evaluated for various parameters. Drug-excipients compatibility was performed by FTIR study. Optimized batch of nanoparticles F3 was further formulated as gel for topical delivery. A total of 4 batches of gel were prepared using different concentrations of carbopol 934. Prepared gel formulations are evaluated for physical parameters and in vitro drug permeation study. The in-vitro release rate of gel preparations was evaluated by diffusion cell method using cellophane membrane with phosphate buffer pH Z4 as the receptor medium. F3-G1 showed highest in-vitro release rate and superior physicochemical properties. These formulations were evaluated for ex-vivo permeation study through chicken skin using Franz diffusion cell. The drug release data of optimized batch were fitted into different kinetic models which show that the drug release from gel formulations follow zero order release. The overall studies concluded that the F3-G1 Flurbiprofen nanoparticle gel can be effectively used for the treatment of chronic conditions of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.