Niosome-based hydrogel as a potential drug delivery system for topical and transdermal applications
Fiammetta Nigro, Cristal dos Santos Cerqueira Pinto, Elisabete Pereira dos Santos, Cláudia R. E. Mansur
Abstract
Among the most used carriers for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes, niosomes are biocompatible and versatile systems, capable of enhance the therapeutic effects of encapsulated drugs for topical and transdermal treatments. Overall, the nanometer size and flexibility of these systems can improve the skin penetration and permeation of several drugs, but the suspension obtained after their preparation does not present the required rheological properties for topical use. Polymeric hydrogels can be employed, since they are compatible, and ease made, maintaining the integrity of nanostructures, besides promoting suitable formulation viscosity and spreadability. Therefore, this association can affect topical formulation properties, depending on the polymer type, purity, cross-links density, and by the electrostatic interactions between polymer and vesicle surface charges.