Niosomal Gel: A Promising Approach for Enhanced Topical Drug Delivery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22270/ajprd.v13i3.1560Abstract
This review highlights the formulation and evaluation of niosomal gels as an advanced strategy for topical drug delivery. Niosomes, vesicular systems composed of non-ionic surfactants, were developed and optimized based on critical parameters such as particle size, entrapment efficiency, and formulation stability. These optimized vesicles were then incorporated into a suitable gel base for effective dermal application. The resulting niosomal gel was systematically evaluated for physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and drug content uniformity. Ex vivo skin permeation studies revealed significantly enhanced drug penetration compared to conventional gel formulations, while in vivo assessments demonstrated improved therapeutic outcomes and prolonged anti-inflammatory effects. Overall, niosomal gel systems offer a promising, controlled, and targeted approach to enhance the efficacy and patient compliance in topical drug delivery.
Downloads
References
Lade S, Kosalge S, Shaikh S. Transdermal drug delivery system: a tool for novel drug delivery system: an overview. World J Pharm Res. 2013;3(2):1892-908.
Subedi RK, Oh SY, Chun MK, Choi HK. Recent advances in transdermal drug delivery. Arch Pharm Res. 2010;33:339-51.
Asthana SG, Asthana A, Singh D, Sharma PK. Etodolac containing topical niosomal gel: formulation development and evaluation. J Drug Deliv. 2016;2016:9324567.
Jigar V, Puja V, Sawant K. Formulation and evaluation of topical niosomal gel of erythromycin. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2011;3(1):123-6.
Hamishehkar H, Rahimpour Y, Kouhsoltani M. Niosomes as a propitious carrier for topical drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2013;10(2):261-72.
Rehman K, Zulfakar MH. Recent advances in gel technologies for topical and transdermal drug delivery. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2014;40(4):433-40.
Buckton G. Interfacial phenomena in drug delivery and targeting. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2000.
Handjani-Vila RM, Ribier A, Rondot B, Vanlerberghe G. Dispersions of lamellar phases of non-ionic lipids in cosmetic products. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2003;1:303-14.
Okore VC, Attama AA, Ofokansi KC, Esimone CO, Onuigbo EB. Formulation and evaluation of niosomes. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73(3):323.
Rupali S, Anupama D, Satish S, Shekhar S, Amisha V. Development and evaluation of niosomal gel for transdermal application of steroidal API. Int Res J Adv Sci Hub. 2020;2(8):1-18.
Naresh RR, Pillai GK, Udupa N, Chandrashekar G. Anti-inflammatory activity of niosome encapsulated diclofenac sodium in arthritic rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 1994;26(1):46-8.
Bayindir ZS, Yuksel N. Characterization of niosomes prepared with various nonionic surfactants for paclitaxel oral delivery. J Pharm Sci. 2010;99(4):2049-60.
Jain CP, Vyas SP, Dixit VK. Niosomal system for delivery of rifampicin to lymphatics. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2006;68:575-8.
Khan A, Sharma PK, Visht S, et al. Niosomes as colloidal drug delivery system: a review. J Chronother Drug Deliv. 2011;2(1):15-21.
Verma AK, Bindal M. A review on niosomes: an ultimate controlled and novel drug delivery carrier. Int J Nanoparticles. 2012;5(1):73-87.
Hofland HEJ, van der Geest R, Bodde HE, et al. Estradiol permeation from nonionic surfactant vesicles through human stratum corneum in vitro. Pharm Res. 1994;11(5):659-64.
Desai S, Doke A, Disouza J, Athawale R. Development and evaluation of antifungal topical niosomal gel formulation. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2011;3(5):224-31.
Chawla V, Saraf SA. Rheological studies on solid lipid nanoparticle-based carbopol gels of aceclofenac. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces.
Akki R, Ramya MG, Navyasri K, Kathirvel S. Formulation and evaluation of mupirocin niosomal gel for topical drug delivery system. Int J PharmTech Res. 2020;13(2):7-17.
Alok N, Jain NK. Niosomes as drug carriers. Indian J Pharm Sci. 1996;58(2):41-6.
Mullaicharam AR, Murthy RSR. The Indian Pharmacist. 2004;22:54.
Tawani A, Chavan G, Vedpathak S, Chakole R, Charde M. Niosomes: a promising nanocarrier approach for drug delivery. J Adv Sci Res. 2021;12(04 Suppl 1):39-57.
Khandare JN, Madhavi G, Tamhankar BM. Niosomes: a novel drug delivery system. East Pharm. 1994;37:61-4.
Yadav JD, Kulkarni PR, Vaidya KA, Shelke GT. Niosomes: a review. J Pharm Res. 2011;4(3):632-6.
Balakrishnan P, et al. Formulation and in-vitro assessment of Minoxidil niosomes for enhanced skin delivery. Int J Pharm. 2014;377:1-8.
Samyuktha Rani B, Vedha Hari BN. Niosomal formulation of Orlistat: Formulation and in vitro evaluation. Int J Drug Dev Res. 2011;3(3):300-11.
Shirsand SB, Para MS, Nagendra Kumar D, Kanani KM, Keerthy D. Formulation and evaluation of Ketoconazole niosomal gel drug delivery system. Int J Pharm Investig. 2012;2(4):201-7.
Vyas SP, Khar RK. Targeted and controlled drug delivery: novel carrier systems. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors; 2004. p. 40:3-13.
Anbarasan B, Rekha S, Elango K, Shriya B, Ramaprabhu S. Optimization of the formulation and in-vitro evaluation of capecitabine niosomes for the treatment of colon cancer. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(4):504-13.
Sabarikumar K, Varatharajan P, Sheema MS. Bioavailability enhancement of Aceclofenacniosomes containing surfactants and cholesterol. Int J Biol Pharm Res. 2012;3(3):354-9.
Rajera R, Nagpal K, Kumar S, Mishra DN. Niosomes: A controlled and novel drug delivery system. Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(7):945–53.
Bhaskaran S, Panigrahi L. Formulation and evaluation of niosomes using different non-ionic surfactants. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2002;64:63–5.
Kumar A, Pal J, Jaiswal A. Review on niosomes as novel drug delivery system. Int Res J Pharm. 2011;2(5):61–5.
Ali N, Harikumar SL, Kaur A. Niosomes: An excellent tool for drug delivery. Int J Res Pharm Chem. 2012;2(2):479–86.
Su YH, Fang JY. Drug delivery and formulations for the topical treatment of psoriasis. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2008;5(2):235–49.
Puglia C, Bonina F. Lipid nanoparticles as novel delivery systems for cosmetics and dermal pharmaceuticals. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2012;9(4):429–41.
Javadzadeh Y, Hamishehkar H. Enhancing percutaneous delivery of methotrexate using different types of surfactants. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2011;82(2):422–6.
Lakshmi PK, Devi GS, Bhaskaran S, et al. Niosomal methotrexate gel in the treatment of localized psoriasis: Phase I and Phase II studies. Indian J Dermatol VenereolLeprol. 2007;73(3):157.
Draelos ZD. New channels for old cosmeceuticals: Aquaporin modulation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008;7(2):83–5.
Lakshmi PK, Bhaskaran S. Phase II study of topical niosomal urea gel—an adjuvant in the treatment of psoriasis. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2011;7(1):1–7.
Choi CM, Berson DS. Cosmeceuticals. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2006;25:163–8.
Bissett DL, Robinson LR, Raleigh PS, et al. Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007;6(1):20–6.
Shatalebi MA, Mostafavi SA, Moghaddas A. Niosome as a drug carrier for topical delivery of N-acetyl glucosamine. Res Pharm Sci. 2010;5(2):107–12.
Junyaprasert VB, Singhsa P, Suksiriworapong J, et al. Physicochemical properties and skin permeation of span 60/tween 60 niosomes of ellagic acid. Int J Pharm. 2012;423(2):303–11.
Garg BJ, Saraswat A, Bhatia A, et al. Topical treatment in vitiligo and the potential uses of new drug delivery systems. Indian J Dermatol VenereolLeprol. 2010;76(3):231–8.
Nogueira LS, Zancanaro PC, Azambuja RD. Vitiligo and emotions. An Bras Dermatol. 2009;84(1):41–5.
Kar K, Sudheer P. Formulation and evaluation of niosomal drug delivery system of ketoprofen. RGUHS J Pharm Sci. 2015;5(4):150–6.
Moghimipour E, Tafaghodi M, Balouchi A, et al. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of topical liposomal gel of triamcinolone acetonide. Res J Pharm Biol Chem Sci. 2013;4(1):101–7.
Umalkar DG, Rajesh KS. Formulation and evaluation of liposomal gel for treatment of psoriasis. Int J Pharm Bio Sci. 2013;4(4):22–32.
Jaiswal PH, Gujarathi NA, Rane BR, et al. Formulation of niosomal gel of diclofenac sodium and its in-vitro characterization. Int J Pharm Pharm Res. 2016;6(4):585–600.
Gadekar V, Bhowmick M, Pandey GK, et al. Formulation and evaluation of naproxen proniosomal gel for the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system. J Drug Deliv Ther. 2013; 3(6):36–41.
Shah N, Gupta MK, Jain NK, et al. Formulation, optimization and characterization of naproxen noisome. Curr Res Biol Pharm Sci. 2015;4(5):10–15.
Rangasamy M, Ayyasamy B, Raju S, et al. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of niosome encapsulated acyclovir. J Pharm Res. 2008;1(2):163–6.
Mujeeb SA, Sailaja AK. Formulation of ibuprofen loaded niosomal gel by different techniques for treating rheumatoid arthritis. J Bionanosci. 2017;11(3):1–8.
Sultana SS, Sailaja AK. Formulation and evaluation of diclofenac sodium transferosomes using different surfactants by thin film hydration method. Der Pharm Lett. 2015;7(11):43–53.
Srikanth K, Rama Mohan Gupta V, Devanna N. Formulation and evaluation of nystatin loaded niosomes. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(5):2015–20.
Rahman L, Arisanti, Manggau MA. Niosomal transdermal gel formulation of curcumin having anti-inflammatory effect in experimental rat models. J Chem Pharm Res. 2015;7(9):843–9.
Sailaja AK, Begum N. Formulation and evaluation of COX-2 inhibitor (etoricoxib) loaded ethyl cellulose nanoparticles for topical drug delivery. Nano Biomed Eng. 2018;10(1):1–9.
Sailaja AK. A comparative study of aspirin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles prepared by desolvation technique using various desolvating agents. Nano Biomed Eng. 2017;9(2):143–51.
Sailaja AK, Sarita A. Preparation and characterization of aspirin loaded ethyl cellulose nanoparticles by solvent evaporation technique. World J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2014;3(6):1781–93.
Gibbs JE, Rashid T, Thomas SA. Effect of transport inhibitors and additional anti-HIV drugs on the movement of lamivudine (3TC) across the guinea pig brain barriers. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003;306(3):1035–41.
Jozwiakowski MJ, Nguyen NA, Sisco JM, Spancake CW. Solubility behavior of lamivudine crystal forms in recrystallization solvents. J Pharm Sci. 1996;85(2):193–9.
Akhilesh D, Bini KB, Kamath JV. Review on span-60 based non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) as novel drug delivery. Int J Res Pharm Biomed Sci. 2012;3:6–12.
SorlinSelvaJoice P, Reichal CR, Thirumoorthy N, Sangeetha M. Formulation and evaluation of tetracycline niosomal topical gel drug delivery system. World J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2017;6(8):744–58.
Anbarasan B, Rekha S, Elango K, Shriya B, Ramaprabhu S. Optimization of the formulation and in vitro evaluation of capecitabine niosomes for the treatment of colon cancer. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(4):504–13.
Sera UV, Ramana MV. In vitro skin absorption and drug release comparison of four commercial hydrophilic gel preparations for topical use. Indian Pharmacist. 2006;73:356–60.
Bhalaria M, Naik S, Misra A. A novel delivery system for antifungal drugs in the treatment of topical fungal disease. Indian J Exp Biol. 2009;47(5):368–75.
Rajera R, Nagpal K, Kumar S, Mishra DN. Niosomes: A controlled and novel drug delivery system. Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(7):945–53.
Srikanth K, Nappinnai M, Gupta VRM. Formulation and evaluation of topical meloxicam niosomal gel. Int J Biopharm. 2010;1:7–13.
Okore VC, Attarna AA, Ofokansi KC, Esimone CO. Formulation and evaluation of niosomes. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73:323–8.
Ravouru N, Kondreddy P, Korakanchi D, Haritha M. Formulation and evaluation of niosomal nasal drug delivery system of folic acid for brain targeting. Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2013;10:210–22.
Kar K, Sudheerl P. Formulation and evaluation of niosomal drug delivery system of ketoprofen. J Pharm Sci. 2015;5:173–80.
Yuksel N, Bayindir ZS, Aksakal E, Ozcelikay AT. In situ niosome-forming maltodextrin proniosome of candesartan cilexetil: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2015; 82:453–63.
Ammar HO, Haider M. In vitro and in vivo investigation for optimization of niosomal ability for sustainment and bioavailability enhancement of diltiazem after nasal administration. Drug Deliv. 2017; 24:414–21.
Aggarwal A, Saroha K, Nanda S. Formulation, evaluation, and comparison of ketorolac tromethamine transdermal gel containing natural and synthetic permeation enhancers. Der Pharm Sin. 2014;5:41–5.
Kamboj S, Saini V, Bala S. Formulation and characterization of drug-loaded non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) for oral bioavailability enhancement. Sci World J. 2014;2014:959741.
Moghddam SR, Ahad A, Aqil M, Imam SS, Sultana Y. Formulation and optimization of niosomes for topical diacerein delivery using 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design for the management of psoriasis. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2016;69:789–97.
Ruckmani K, Sankar V. Formulation and optimization of zidovudine niosomes. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2010;11:1119–27.
Jadon PS, Gajbhiye V, Jadon RS. Enhanced oral bioavailability of griseofulvin via niosomes. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2009;10(4):1186–92.
Vyshnavi V, Indira S, Srinivas P. Formulation and evaluation of nasal niosomal in-situ gels of loratidine. Int J Pharm Sci Drug Res. 2015;7:13–2.
Rajalakshmi SV, Vinaya OG. Formulation development, evaluation and optimization of medicated lip rouge containing niosomal acyclovir for the management of recurrent herpes labialis. Int J Appl Pharm. 2017; 9:21–7.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Bhoyar V. Vikram, Dr. Vikrant P. Wankhade, Dr. Shrikant D. Pande, Dr. Sandeep C. Atram, Dr. Nishan N. Bobade, Tanvi S. Kokate, Neha S. Ghogare
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
AUTHORS WHO PUBLISH WITH THIS JOURNAL AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Unported License. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
.