Formulation and evaluation of non-ionic surafactant vesicles (niosomes) for ocular delivery of ofloxacin

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate Niosomes, a synthetic microscopic vesicles consisting of an aqueous concentration enclosed in a bilayer consisting of cholesterol and one or more nonionic surfactants to improve the low corneal penetration and bioavailability characteristic shown by conventional ophthalmic vehicles. Ofloxacin was selected as a suitable drug for the present study because it is a potent second-generation fluoroquinolone active against a broad range of gram positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. In the present investigation nine formulations of Niosomal drug delivery system of ofloxacin with non ionic surfactant, span 60, in various proportions were prepared and  evaluated for Morphological characterization, Encapsulation efficiency, In-vitro drug release study, Drug release kinetic data analysis, Stability study, Test for significance, Zeta potential analysis, Ocular irritation test, Estimation of minimum inhibitory concentration,  In- vivo study. Niosomes formed from span 60 and cholesterol in the ratio 200:100 (in mmol) is a promising approach to improve the bioavailability of ofloxacin even for an extended period of time which showed good physicochemical properties, good stability and controlled drug release pattern, thereby improving the bioavailability of the drug.