Formulation and Characterization of Proniosomal Gels loaded with Levofloxacin for dermal drug Delivery.

Formulation of proniosomal gels and evaluation of their potential in dermal drug delivery of levofloxacin, an antibacterial drug used to treat complicated bacterial infections. Levofloxacin-loaded proniosomal gels were prepared using coacervation phase separation using nonionic surfactants (spans and tweens). Different parameters of the proniosomal gels were evaluated, including particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), drug entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), in vitro drug release, and ex vivo permeation studies. Based on the experimental results, the EE% for the prepared formulas ranged from 32.22±0.86 to 54.83±1.17%. Comparatively to others, levofloxacin could be best encapsulated using span 20. The particle size of the proniosomes ranged from 447±204 nm to 1089±17 nm. Proniosomal gel prepared with span 20 had the smallest vesicle size. The zeta potential range of prepared proniosomes was from 20.95±0 mV to 60.92±0.09 mV. The prepared formulations were found to have a polydispersity index ranging from 0.198±3.23 to 0.967±0.36. Almost all of the formulas displayed a linear release profile ranging from 33.028 to 97.56 percent over 4 hours. A higher level of drug deposition was observed with span 80 compared to tween 80 after 6 h: 18.296% versus 9.44%. The stability study showed that there was no significant change in EE%, PS, or ZP of levofloxacin proniosomal gels after 3 months of storage. In conclusion, the dermal application of the investigated proniosomal gel formulations demonstrated promising results as nanocarriers for levofloxacin.