Development of Topical Nanogel as a Promising Delivery of NSAID’s Tenoxicam using Natural Permeation Enhancer Essential Oil (Euckolyptus)

Tenoxicam (TNX) is an effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Like other NSAIDs, tenoxicam has the disadvantage of being linked to gastrointestinal side effects. Furthermore, this drug is having weak transdermal penetration, preventing transdermal administration. The goal of this study was to develop a TNX nanogel with a smaller particle size to improve the anti-inflammatory drug's bioavailability and assess its potential in rheumatoid arthritis. The modified emulsification-diffusion method is used to develop nanosized dispersion of TNX using noveon polycarbophil AA-1 as a gelling agent. Moreover, essential oils increase skin penetration by interacting with the stratum corneum (SC). They were found to be successful in increasing skin penetration of both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. The rheology, particle size, drug content, % drug release, and in-vitro diffusion study of prepared TNX nanogel were performed. Based on the rheological features of the formulations it was found to be substantial, with the particle size of 125.05nm and zeta potential -8.47mV, drug content of 97.05%, % drug release 97.40% drug diffusion of 97.42%, and pH of 6.2. Tenoxicam nanogel was prepared by using noveon polycarbophil AA-1 and eucalyptus oil as a permeation enhancer was proven to be suitable as a typical topical gel formulation for the treatment of edema and rheumatoid arthritis.