Design by optimization and comparative evaluation of vesicular gels of etodolac for transdermal delivery

Aim of the present study was to design vesicular gels of etodolac loaded liposomes and ethosomes for effective transdermal delivery. The physicochemical properties of vesicular gels were compared with 45% v/v ethanolic etodolac solution and commercial product (PROXYM®). The liposomes were prepared by film hydration technique whereas ethosomes were prepared by cold method respectively. Both the systems were characterized for various physicochemical properties. The size range of liposomes shows 186 nm-363 nm whereas for ethosomes 170 nm-261 nm respectively. The zeta potential of optimized liposomes and ethosomes was found to be -36.5 mV and -48.3 mV, respectively. The highest %EE of liposomes and ethosomes shows 71.5% and 78.5%, respectively. The permeation of liposomes shows in the range of 67.50%-86.06% whereas ethosomes shows 52.30%-99.49%, respectively. The optimization was done by 3² experimental design. The optimized vesicular dispersions were subjected to gel preparation using carbopol 940 NF. The prepared liposomal gel (ETO-LG) and ethosomal gel (ETO-EG) were optimized and characterized. The vesicular gels showed desirable results compared to other test formulations.