INVESTIGATION OF PRONIOSOMES GEL AS A PROMISING CARRIER FOR TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF GLIMEPIRIDE

Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop a proniosomal carrier system that is capable of efficiently delivering entrapped glimepiride over an extended period of time for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Methods:  Proniosomal gels were developed based on span 60 with and without cholesterol. The entrapment efficiency of drug inside niosomes developed from hydration of the proniosomes gel was also characterized. The in vitro release and skin permeation of glimepiride from various proniosomes gel formulations were investigated. The stability studies were performed at 4°C and at room temperature. Results: The maximum entrapment efficiency was obtained when the cholesterol concentration was 10% of total lipid (90.02%). In vitro release through mixed cellulose ester membrane showed sustained release of drug from proniosomes gels. In vitro drug permeation across rabbit skin revealed improved drug permeation and higher transdermal flux with proniosomes gels compared to hydro-alcoholic gel of drug. Also, good physical stability was also achieved with proniosomes gels. Kinetics of in vitro skin permeation showed diffusion model of drug release from formulations. Conclusion: The study proved that the concentration of cholesterol had great influence on the properties of proniosomes gels. Hence, proniosomes preparation containing 10% cholesterol can significantly increase trans-epidermal flux and prolong the release of glimepiride.         Peer Review History: Article received on- 10 November   Revised on- 14 December       Accepted on- 16 December,  Available online 15 January 2017 Academic Editor: Dr. Asia Selman Abdullah, Al-Razi university, Department of Pharmacy, Yemen, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Heba M. Abd El-Azim, Damanhour University, Egypt, [email protected] Dr. Mohamed Derbali, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia, [email protected] Similar Articles: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TOLTERODINE TARTRATE PRONIOSOME