Proniosomes

The Improvement in the nanotechnology brings revolutionary changes & helps in preparing the novel formulations. The proniosomes are solid colloidal particles which may be hydrated immediately before use to yield the aqueous niosome dispersions similar to those that are produced by more cumbersome conventional methods. These proniosomes minimize the problems of niosome physical stability such as leaking, aggregation & fusion provide additional convenience in dosing, transportation, storage & distribution. The proniosomes overcome the disadvantages involved with liposomal & niosomal drug delivery systems. This review focuses on different aspects of proniosome such as components , types, preparation, evaluation & applications.

Atorvastatin calcium is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia. It has oral bioavailability of less than 12%. It also undergoes high first pass metabolism. The objective of the present work was to formulate, optimize and in vivo evaluation of the potential novel proniosomal gel containing atorvastatin for transdermal delivery. On the basis of the preliminary trials a 3-factor, 3-level Box–Behnken design was employed to study the effect of Cholesterol, soya lecithin and Span 60 independent variable on dependent variables (particle size and % entrapment efficiency). Atorvastatin optimized proniosomal formulation F2 shown better particle size and % entrapment efficiency and also the drug release was 99.72% within 24h in slow and controlled manner when compared with control. The particle size and Zeta potential of the optimized atorvastatin proniosomal gel was found to be 65.72 and -10.5 respectively. Optimized batch of Proniosomes was used for the preparation of Atorvastatin - based proniosomal hydrogel by incorporating hydrated Proniosomes to Carbopol matrix to enhance the stability and viscosity of the system. The enhanced skin permeation for prolonged period of time, may lead to improved efficacy and better patient compliance. From in vivo studies the maximal concentrations (Cmax) of drug was significantly reduced while the areas under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and t1/2 were evidently increased and extended. This study suggests that proniosomal gel of atorvastatin would be a promising alternative to improve the bioavailability problems of atorvastatin.

The aim of present study was to design and development of a proniosomal transdermal drug delivery system of lornoxicam for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and enhanced skin targeting effect, sustained & prolonged drug release, enhanced skin bioavailability by using different type of non ionic surfactant & cholesterol. Proniosomes of Lornoxicam were prepared by coacervation-phase separation method. The formulation systems were characterized in vitro for size, vesicle count, drug entrapment, drug release profile and vesicular stability. The method used for preparing proniosome resulted in an encapsulation yield of 67.71-87.64%. Proniosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. In vitro studies showed prolonged release of entrapped lornoxicam. A successful attempt was made to develop proniosomal gel for transdermal delivery of lornoxicam using different grades of nonionic surfactant.

The aim of present study,  To formulate and characterized  proniosome contain flurbiprofen in a gel formulation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and enhanced skin targeted effect, sustained & prolonged drug release, enhanced skin bioavailability by using different type of non ionic surfactant & cholesterol. The batches were designed using Box Behnken Design and prepared by coacervation phase separation method. Optimized formulation (PNGopt) showed drug entrapment efficiency of 74.46% and particle size 215nm. In-vitro drug release from PNGopt was found to be 84.15 in 24 hrs. The In-vitro drug release was best explained by zero order kinetics as the plot showed highest linearity and release was governed by Quasi Fickian diffusion.

The proniosomal approach helps to solve the problem regarding stability and provides higher entrapment efficiency over conventional system. Proniosomal gel is a liquid crystalline- compact niosomal hybrid which is prepared by dissolving surfactant in small amount of suitable solvent and least amount of aqueous phase. This compact gel can be converted to niosomes hydration. Proniosomes can entrap hydrophilic as well as lipophillic drugs. Proniosomal gel offers a versatile vesicle drug delivery concept with potential for drug delivery via transdermal rout. Over the last few years an inclusive research has been done over pro-vesicular approach for transdermal drug delivery. Skin has a very tough diffusion barrier inhibiting penetration of drug moiety which is rate limiting barrier for penetration of drugs. There are several approaches that deal with penetration enhancement across the skin. Vesicular and provesicular systems are promising amongst them. Vesicular systems including (niosomes, ethosomes, transfersomes and liposomes) are promising systems to cross this permeation barrier.

Over the last few years an inclusive research has been done over provesicular approach for transdermal drug delivery. Skin has a very tough diffusion barrier inhibiting penetration of drug moiety which is rate limiting barrier for penetration of drugs. There are several approaches that deal with penetration enhancement across the skin. Vesicular and provesicular systems are promising amongst them. Vesicular systems including (niosomes, ethosomes, transfersomes and liposomes) are promising systems to cross this permeation barrier. The proniosomal approach helps to solve the problem regarding stability and provides higher entrapment efficiency over conventional system. Proniosomal gel is a liquid crystalline- compact niosomal hybrid which is prepared by dissolving surfactant in small amount of suitable solvent and least amount of aqueous phase. This compact gel can be converted to niosomes hydration. Proniosomes can entrap hydrophilic as well as lipophillic drugs. Proniosomal gel offers a versatile vesicle drug delivery concept with potential for drug delivery via transdermal rout.