Design, Optimization And In-Vitro Characterization Of GarcinolLoaded Liposomal Hydrogel For Topical Management Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that requires long-term therapy and is often associated with systemic adverse effects. The present study aimed to design, optimize, and evaluate a garcinol-loaded liposomal hydrogel for the topical management of rheumatoid arthritis. Garcinol-loaded liposomes were prepared using the thinfilm hydration method and optimized through a three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken experimental design. Phospholipon® 90H concentration, cholesterol concentration, and sonication time were selected as independent variables, while particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were considered as response parameters. The optimized liposomal formulation exhibited a particle size of 232.8 nm, PDI of 0.285, zeta potential of −32.6 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 85.1%, which were in close agreement with the predicted values, with a prediction error below 2%. The optimized liposomes were incorporated into Carbopol 934 hydrogel to obtain liposomal hydrogel formulations (LH1–LH3). Among the formulations, LH2 (1.5% Carbopol 934) demonstrated suitable physicochemical characteristics, including pH 6.7, viscosity 24,134 cP, spreadability 20.23 g·cm/s, and drug content 97.5%, with no evidence of phase separation. In-vitro drug release studies revealed sustained release behavior, with cumulative drug release of 92%, 85%, and 75% from LH1, LH2, and LH3 formulations, respectively, over 24 h. Stability studies performed for 30 days under both room temperature (25 ± 2°C) and accelerated conditions (40 ± 2°C/75 ± 5% RH) showed only minor variations in physicochemical parameters, with drug content remaining above 96%, confirming good stability of the optimized formulation. Overall, the developed liposomal hydrogel exhibited desirable physicochemical properties, sustained drug release, and satisfactory stability, suggesting its potential as an effective topical drug delivery system for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7154401852