Mbah C., Builders P., Nzekwe I., Kunle O., Adikwu M., Attama A.
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nige
Mbah, C., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria; Builders, P., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria; Nzekwe, I., Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria; Kunle, O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria; Adikwu, M., Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria; Attama, A., Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
pH-responsive metronidazole ethosomes (ME) were formulated by solvent evaporation method using Phosphohpon 90 H(P90H) and evaluated for vaginal delivery. Differential scanning calorimetry showed no interaction between metronidazole and P90H. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed formation of spherically-shaped vesicles. The average vesicle size was 179.9 nm with PDI of 0.338. The entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) were 50.31 ±3.38 % and 39.89 ± 0.02 %, respectively. Over pH of 6.5-5.0, the permeation and flux were of the order: ME 5.6 > ME 5.0 > ME 6.5. respectively, with ME 5.6 showing, significantly (P < 0.05) the highest release profile. Ethosome vesicles were formed which entrapped the metronidazole molecules. The optimized ethosome gel (ME 5.6) exhibited pseudo-plastic flow behaviour typical of non-Newtonian fluids and showed potentials for sustained delivery compared to the aqueous dispersion. This may be replicated in the vagina to cause increased local and systemic bioavailability of metronidazole.
