Formulation and characterization of Flurbiprofen loaded terpesomes

Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) primarily indicated for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, like all other NSAIDs, it is associated with gastrointestinal discomfort. Also, multiple dosing is required due to its short half-life which results in decreasing patient compliance and adherence when the drug is given orally. Delivering flurbiprofen systemically through other routes is quite an appealing approach to overcome its distressing adverse effects and reduce its dosing frequency. Flurbiprofen was formulated to be carried in a terpene-enriched ultra-deformable liposomal system called “terpesome” utilizing the thin film hydration technique. Limonene, alpha pinene, and cineole are three types of terpenes of different degrees of lipophilicity that were used in the construction of the terpesome along with soybean lecithin and sodium deoxycholate as an edge activator. A 23. 31 full factorial design was used in designing 23 formulas, and the optimized formula was chosen based on the desirability index of minimum vesicle size and PDI, and maximum entrapment efficiency. The optimized formula (comprised of 50 mg of flurbiprofen, 263 mg of soybean lecithin, 100 microliter of cineole, and 0% SDC) was shown to have a vesicular size of 195 nm, PDI of 0.3, and entrapment efficiency of 62%. Entrapment efficiency was higher in cineole containing terpesomes compared to limonene and alpha pinene counterparts most probably due to the hydrophilic nature (log P = 2.8) of cineole, which has low affinity to the phospholipid content in the vesicle causing repulsion between the vesicle content creating an ample space to efficiently house the flurbiprofen within. The in vitro release study of the optimized formula using cellulose dialysis membrane showed that an 88% of the drug was released after eight hours in comparison to the flurbiprofen suspension which released more than 90% after 4 hours confirming the role of the terpesomal vesicles in delaying drug release. In conclusion, terpesomes were prepared successfully with optimum properties to be ready for incorporation into an advanced and suitable drug delivery systems for a desirable enhancement of patient compliance and adherence.