Formulation and optimization of quercetin loaded nanosponges topical gel: Ex vivo, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies

Abstract

Objective: Quercetin is therapeutically hampered because of its poor solubility. The present investigation was aimed to prepare quercetin loaded nanosponges topical gel to enhance the solubility and efficacy of the drug. Methods: Quercetin nanosponges were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method. Developed nanosponges optimized by particle size, SEM, entrapment efficiency, FT-IR, DSC, P-XRD, In vitro studies. The optimized formulation of nanosponges was loaded into a topical gel and it was characterized by ex-vivo, in vivo Pharmacodynamic and kinetic studies. Results: The particle size and zeta potential of optimized nanosponges were found to be 188.3 nm and-0.1mV. Surface morphology was studied using SEM Analysis which showed tiny sponge-like structure and entrapment efficiency was found to be 96.5 %. In vitro drug release of optimized nanosponges was found to be 98.6% for 7hours. Optimized nanosponges entrapped gel was prepared by using carbopol 934 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as gelling agents. The prepared nanogels were homogenous and ex-vivo skin permeation studies of the optimized nanosponges gel was found to be 98.1% for 5 h, quercetin loaded nanosponges has shown higher skin permeation efficiency (18.4µg/cm2±2.1) compared to pure quercetin gel. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies showed that the quercetin loaded nanosponges has shown more effective when compared to marketed formulation. Conclusion: Quercetin loaded nanosponges gel has shown a significant increase in activity (p<0.05) compared to the marketed formulation (Voveran Emulgel).