FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROPARTICULATED GEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF LORNOXICAM FOR THE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Aim of the study was formulation and evaluation of microparticles loaded transdermal gel of lornoxicam. Gel was prepared by incorporating microparticles into gel base of HPMC K15M. Lornoxicam was loaded in microparticles by emulsion-solvent evaporation method using polymers ethylcellulose and Eudragit RS100 in various ratio. The microparticles were evaluated for particle size, shape, entrapment efficiency, compatibility studies and drug content. Further, the prepared gels were evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, pH, dug content in vitro drug diffusion studies. Result showed that microparticles were spherical in shape, free-flowing and the mean particle size ranged from 85.81 to 114.42 μm, entrapment efficiencies ranged from 66.46 to 88.53 %. All the formulated gel formulations showed pH in the range of 6 to 7.4, good spreadibility and viscosities. The diffusion studies after 12 hour was found to be 80.62%, 62.03%, 76.62%, 95.84%, 96.68% and 60.84% from formulations FG1 to FG6 respectively. From the research study it was concluded that lornoxicam loaded microparticulated gel is a potential transdermal delivery system and provides controlled release of drug for the effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.