FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORNIDAZOLE-LOADED ETHOSOMAL GEL
Avdhesh Kushwaha, Rupesh Kumar Jain, Vivek Jain, Mansha Jain
ABSTRACT
Ornidazole-loaded ethosomal gel formulations were developed and optimized for enhanced topical delivery and sustained drug release. Ethosomes were prepared using varying concentrations of soya phosphatidylcholine and ethanol and evaluated for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential. Among the six formulations (F1–F6), F5 showed the smallest vesicle size (118.74 ± 0.25 nm), highest entrapment efficiency (84.95 ± 0.28%), and a zeta potential of –39.85 mV, indicating excellent stability. The optimized ethosomal formulation (F5) was incorporated into a Carbopol gel (EF1–EF3) and assessed for physicochemical properties, including pH, viscosity, homogeneity, spreadability, extrudability, and drug content. EF2 exhibited the most favorable characteristics with pH 6.74 ± 0.06, viscosity 3315 ± 23 cps, and drug content 98.12 ± 0.32%. In vitro drug release studies showed a controlled and sustained release of Ornidazole, reaching 96.65 ± 0.63% at 10 hours, following a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Stability studies revealed that the formulation remained physically and chemically stable under refrigerated conditions for three months. The optimized ethosomal gel (EF2) demonstrated enhanced drug entrapment, sustained release, and stability, making it a promising candidate for topical delivery of Ornidazole.
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