OBJECTIVES

Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) is a low bioavailability antihypertensive drug. This study aimed to prepare and optimize an OLM niosomal gel and investigate drug permeation a chicken buccal pouch.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OLM-loaded niosome were prepared using a film hydration technique. The vesicle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and percentage cumulative drug release of niosome were evaluated. The niosomes were incorporated into a Carbopol 974P (1.5% ) gel, and the drug permeability of the niosomal gel was evaluated. The formulations of the niosomal gel were optimized using the Box-Behnken design. The optimized formulation was further characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared radiation analysis.

RESULTS

The particle size and zeta potential of the optimized niosomal formulations were 296.4 nm and -38.4 mV, respectively. Based on TEM analysis, the niosomes were found to be spherical in shape. The permeability, flux, and permeability coefficient of the optimized niosomal gel were 0.507 mg/cm, 0.083 mg/cm × hour, and 041 cm/hour, respectively. Histopathological evaluation revealed that the niosomal gel had better permeability than the OLM gel.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the OLM niosomal gel, it can be concluded that the formulation can be beneficial in increasing bioavailability, resulting in better therapeutic efficacy.