A Review on Formulation Aspects of Niosomal Gel of Ellagic Acid using Natural Penetration Enhancers

Ellagic acid, a polyphenolic compound present in fruits and berries, with wide spectrum of therapeutic and prophylactic activities. It has wide spectrum of therapeutic, prophylactic and nutritional activities. It is traditionally being used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes for treating hyperpigmentation, skin cancer and many other skin ailments. Unfortunately Ellagic acid suffers from disadvantages of poor solubility, stability, bioavailability, first pass effect and inter subject variability in gut metabolism. This put serious limit over its use as a therapeutic agent. Recently a focus is being made on improving EA delivery to the site of action using various novel drug delivery systems. Presenting EA topically in vesicular drug delivery as niosomes using natural penetration enhancer as almond oil or olive oil can improve its water solubility and transdermal penetration. It was also learned during literature survey that niosomes act as a good delivery system for hydrophobic drug and serve to increase their dermal penetration. Niosomal gel increases formulation stability and offer to increase drug penetration further and achieve controlled release drug delivery. Literature survey revealed that essential oils as olive, almond or mustard oil act as good natural penetration enhancer for drug in trasndermal gel formulation.