Formulation and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Nasal in-situ Gel of Diclofenac Sodium

Intranasal administration represents a viable option for local and systemic delivery of diverse therapeutic compounds. The Physiological range of the nasal mucosal temperature lies between 32-34°C. The aim of this work was to formulate and characterize thermosensitive gels based on Pluronic F127, a thermosensitive polymer, and carbopol 934P, a mucoadhesive polymer, intended for the nasal delivery of Diclofenac sodium. Nasal in-situ gel of Diclofenac sodium was prepared by cold method using different ratio of Pluronic F127 and carbopol 934P.The formulations were optimized based on gelation temperature, gelation time, drug release and mucoadhesive strength. The gelation temperature was found to be between 26.5 ± 1.52 º C to 38.16 ± 1.52 º C and pH was found to be in the range of 4.9 ± 0.814 to 6.1 ± 0.242 respectively. Pluronic F127 can be a promising in situ gelling vehicle for nasal drug delivery system. Sustained and prolonged release of the drug, good stability and biocompatibility characteristics make the in -situ gel dosage forms very reliable.