Polymeric ethosomal gel loaded with nimodipine: Optimisation, pharmacokinetic and histopathological analysis

This study was performed with the main objective of formulating and evaluating the potential of ethosomesl gel (Etho gel) to deliver nimodipine (NiM) for cardiovascular disease, a potent water insoluble anti-hypertensive drug via skin to reach the deeper layers of skin. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the NiM-Eth to determine the impact of the independent and depended variables. The effectiveness of drug entrapment, vesicle size, and cumulative drug release were assessed for the NiM loaded ethosomes and NiM-Eth gel using carbopol 934 as a gelling agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Power X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed and analysed their physicochemical characters. Rat abdomen skin was used to investigate drug permeability and deposition. As compared to marketed products, NiM-Eth gel produced an improved drug permeability in ex vivo experiments. The mean AUC₀ to AUC_0-∞ of NiM-Eth gel when compared to oral formulation (Nymalize oral preparation) was found to be increased from 4.1 to 5.9 folds which was found to be resulted from first pass effect. Histophatlogical findings revealed that the maximum amount of NiM penetrated the stratum corneum of the skin and create drug depots in the deep layer. In summary, it can be said that NiM might be successfully prepared in NiM-Eth gel for transdermal drug delivery.