THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS VEHICLES ON IN-VIVO PERFORMANCE OF INDOMETHACIN FROM DIFFERENT TOPICAL FORMULATIONS

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIDs) with anti-inflammatory activity. Topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are applied to the skin in the forms of gels, and cream in the region where pain is experienced. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various vehicles containing an anti-inflammatory agent and to establish and optimal and stable system for cutaneous application. Ointments and gels are semisolid dosage forms intended for topical application. They may be applied to the skin, or used nasally, rectally and etc. Topical cutaneous applications minimize first pass effect and avoid harsh gastric condition. Two vehicle systems were evaluated, which includes emulsion O/W (cream) and gel, all of them containing indomethacin. The investigation of the vehicle systems was characterized by suitable in-vivo studies. Studies on in-vivo performance of indomethacin cream showed a decrease in 9 % of paw size after inducing inflammation while for indomethacin gel was 5%. The developed indomethacin cream and gel was stable for at least a period of 1 month. In conclusion, a stable cream and gel formulations containing indomethacin was successfully developed. Considering all the studies on the effect of various vehicles on the pharmaceutical availability, the cream formulation had been shown comparatively better performance than gel formulation, with no significance difference