Proniosomes as a Drug Carrier for Transdermal Delivery of Candesartan Cilexetil

Candesartan Cilexetil is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist widely used in the treatment of hypertension and characterized by its good efficacy and less side effects compared to other angiotensin II receptor antagonist. The aim of the study was to develop a proniosomal carrier system for Candesartan Cilexetil for the treatment of hypertension that is capable of efficiently delivering entrapped drug over an extended period of time. In the present study transdermal Candesartan Cilexetil proniosomal gels was formulated by using Lecithin, Cholesterol as encapsulating agents, Surfactant, Span and permeation enhancers by coacervation phase separation method. The prepared systems were characterized for pH determination, Viscosity, Vesicle size analysis, rate of spontaneity, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release study and ex- vivo skin permeation study, skin irritation study and stability study. It was observed that the gel formulations showed good spreadability and viscosity. The particle size was found to be in the range of 175.0- 277.7 nm. The proniosomes showed spherical and homogenous structure in optical microscopy. All formulations showed zero order drug release by diffusion mechanism. The stability studies showed that proniosomal gels were stable at 4 to 8o C and 25±2o C. The above results indicated that the proniosomal gel could be formulated for controlled release of Candesartan Cilexetil. The proniosomal gel are suitable for Candesartan Cilexetil once a day controlled release formulation. The investigated Candesartan cilexetil loaded proniosomal formula proved to be non-irritant, with significantly higher antihypertensive effects and reasonably good stability characteristics.