Development and characterization of liposomal drug delivery system for Nimesulide

Abstract

The focus of this study was to develop and characterize liposomal drug delivery system for Nimesulide. The encapsulation of Nimesulide into liposomes significantly improves their properties. In spite of the numerous advantages of using liposomes as carriers to deliver Nimesulide over the free form of the drug, in vitro studies of liposome-encapsulated Nimesulide have been mainly focused on evaluation of better method of Nimesulide liposomes which have high drug entrapment, vesicle size and drug release. In this study the Nimesulide loaded liposome was prepared by two methods ethanol injection method and rotary evaporator technique. The average particle size, percent drug entrapment, drug release at the end was found to be 270-703, 49-58%, and 65.71% in case of ethanol injection method while in case of rotary evaporator it was found to be 1-12μm, 69-86 and 76.97% respectively. The Zeta potential for Nimesulide loaded liposomes of ethanol injection method (batch- 1) and rotary evaporator method (batch - 3) were -21.23 and -26.78 mV respectively. Thus rotary evaporator technique was better for Nimesulide liposomes preparation on the basis of stability, drug entrapment efficiency and ethanol injection method was better on the basis of small size of liposomes and sustains release of drug when compared to rotary evaporator method and pure drug.