DOE based Formulation development and Evaluation of Niosomal dispersion of Pregabalin

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prepare pregabalin loaded niosomal dispersion for controlled release of drug and achieve therapeutic effect for longer duration than the available drug delivery. Methods: The niosome carriers were formulated using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol ratio of 1:1. The effects of non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol on the average particle size and percent entrapment efficiency were studied. Optimization of the formulation was performed by factorial design using Design expert software 11.0. Results: Based on the solutions provided by the design expert software, the formulation resulted in the particle size of 490 nm and 92.4% EE as compared to the predicted values of 491.02nm for particle size and 90% EE. The optimized niosome carriers appeared as multilamellar vesicles, as evident by a scanning electron microscopy study. Anticonvulsant activity of the niosomal dispersion was determined by Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced convulsions in mice. Pregabalin-loaded niosomal dispersion displayed a sustained and moderate anticonvulsant effect upto 24 h. Conclusion: Therefore, the present study revealed the possibility of using non-ionic surfactant niosomes as carrier systems for prolonged release of pregabalin.