Development and optimization of boswellic acid-loaded proniosomal gel

Context: Boswellic acids (BAs) are isolated from oleo gum of Boswellia serrata and are mainly used as potential anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, and antitumor agents. Pharmacokinetic investigations of BAs uncover its poor bioavailability through digestive system thus creates a need for improved therapeutic responses which can possibly be achieved by developing formulations through novel delivery system. Objective: Present study was conducted to design topical BA-loaded proniosomal gel for the management of inflammatory disorders with enhanced bioavailability. Materials and methods: Nonionic surfactant vesicles were prepared using the coacervation phase separation method. A central composite design was employed to statistically optimize formulation variables using Design-Expert software. Three independent variables were evaluated: amount of surfactant (X-1), amount of soya lecithin (X-2), and amount of cholesterol (X-3). The encapsulation efficiency percentage (Y-1) and particle size (Y-2) were selected as dependent variables. Results and discussion: The optimum formulation (F10) displayed spherical bi-layered vesicles under transmission electron microscopy with optimum particle size of 707.9nm and high entrapment efficiency as 98.52%. In vitro skin permeation study demonstrated the most sustained release of 84.83 +/- 0.153 mg/cm(2) in 24 h. Anti-inflammatory activity of the gel showed a significant (p<0.001) higher percentage inhibition as compared to the marketed gel at the same dose. Conclusion: The present study exhibited that BA-loaded proniosomal gel was better in terms of absorption, bioavailability, and release kinetics.