Formulation and Evaluation of Meloxicam Gels for Topical Administration

For topical administration of meloxicam (ME), microemulsion gels and lipogels containing either ethyl oleate or oleic acid as an oil phase were prepared. In addition, Hydrogel and hydroalcoholic gels containing caxbopol 940 as a gelling agent were also prepared. In-vitro drug release through cellophane membrane and permeation through the excised rabbit skin in Sorensen s phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1% w/v sodium lauryl sulphate were performed .The influence of initial drug concentration (0.5, 0.65, 1% w/w) was studied. The permeation properties of ME from ethyl oleate microemulsion which is the best formula achieved was studied in comparison to the commercially available piroxicam gel. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of ME after oral and topical administration in rats was studied and compared to that of piroxicam gel. The results of an in-vitro drug release and its percutaneous permeation revealed that the ethyloleate microemulsion gel showed the highest results. Meloxicam gel (ethyl oleate microemulsion gel 1%) showed good protection against inflammation as compared to Feldene® gel in rats.