Nanoliposome as a carrier for topical delivery of oxymetazoline hydrochloride: In-vitro assessment and in-vivo anti-inflammatory potential

Abstract

The present investigation on nanoliposome infused with oxymetazoline hydrochloride was fabricated with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol to effectively deliver the drug to the skin. Oxymetazoline hydrochloride evidence to show anti-inflammatory characteristics. The drug produces pro-resolving lipoxins in accordance with the formation of anti-inflammatory 15(S)-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid and the consequent reduction of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators such as leukotriene B4 which leads to the reduction in inflammation at the topical region. The oxymetazoline hydrochloride infused nanoliposomes were prepared by thin film lipid hydration method. The present research assessed the average particle size of different formulations ranges from 147.4 ​± ​0.77 ​nm to 371.7 ​± ​0.99 ​nm with polydispersity value ranging from 0.181 ​± ​0.02 to 0.392 ​± ​0.03. Furthermore, the zeta potentials ranging from −15.2 ​± ​0.25 ​mV to −30.5 ​± ​0.24 ​mV. The percentage of drug release at 12 ​h (Y1) has a p-value of 0.0073, entrapment efficiency (%) (Y2) has p-value of 0.0001 and particle size (nm) (Y3) has a p-value of 0.0480. Hence all the dependent responses found to be significant. This study exhibited small particle size distribution with consistent polydispersity index which ensure the monodispersed nature of the nanoliposomes. The satisfactory zeta potential value indicates the stability of formulation. The outcome of the study projected that oxymetazoline hydrochloride loaded nanoliposome have the potential to deliver drugs to specific regions with their high stability and predictable release at the target region.