Title:Development and Characterization of Sulfasalazine Cubosomes for Potential Transdermal Drug Delivery
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mekha Mathew, Anasuya Patil*Hemanth G
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, KLE College of Pharmacy, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, India
Keywords:
Cubosomes, sulfasalazine, rheumatoid arthritis, glyceryl monooleate, poloxamer 407, transdermal delivery.
Abstract:
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is indeed a constant, progressive autoimmune disease
that acts on the synovial membrane, distinguished by joint pain, swelling, and tenderness. Sulfasalazine
belongs to BCS Class IV having low solubility and low permeability. To overcome the issue and
provide a localized effect Cubosomes were chosen for the transdermal drug delivery system.
Objectives: The primary objective of this investigation was to pass on sulfasalazine-loaded cubosomes
over the skin to treat rheumatoid arthritis. On the way to overcome this issue of oral sulfasalazine
and provide localized effect, Cubosomes were chosen for the transdermal drug delivery system.
Methods: Sulfasalazine-loaded cubosomes were prepared by the top-down method using GMO and
Poloxamer 407. Different concentrations of lipid and surfactant were used in the formulation using 32
full factorial designs. The prepared formulations were assessed for p.s, z,p, %EE, FTIR, SEM, in-vitro
release, ex-vivo permeation, and deposition studies with pH 7.4 phosphate buffer saline.
Results: The particle size varies between 65 nm to 129 nm, while the negative zeta potential ranged from -
18.8 mV to -24.8 mV. The entrapment efficiency was between 87% and 95%. The formulations' in-vitro
drug release was carried out for 12 hours. The optimized formulation showed a controlled release of sulfasalazine
and better ex-vivo permeation and deposition properties than sulfasalazine suspension.
Conclusion: Overall study findings support the possibility of applying transdermal sulfasalazineloaded
cubosomes to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis.