Niosomes are the non-ionic surfactant-based vesicular system which may enhance anti-acne efficacy by improving bioavailability and intra-follicular penetration of the tazarotene. In the present study, we prepared tazarotene-loaded niosomes which were further incorporated in the carbopol 934 gel to alter the contact time to gain maximum benefits of the treatment. Prepared formulations of Niosome were optimized on basis of vesicle size, shape, surface charge and entrapment efficiency. % Entrapment efficiency and vesicle size of optimized Niosomes formulation (F-9) was found 78.85±0.25% and 212.4±0.32 nm respectively. Gel of F9 was formulated using carbopol 934 as the base. The in vitro anti acne activity of the niosomal gel was evaluated against Propionibacterium acnes using well diffusion method using clindamycin as the standard drug. The niosomal Gel NG-2 showed greater capacity (18.5±0.86, 19.0±0.7, 24.0±0.9) to inhibit bacterial growth than corresponding to plain gel (10.0±0.5, 12.0±0.8, 14.0±0.7) at the concentration level of 10µg/ml, 20µg/ml and 30µg/ml respectively.

Tazarotene, noisome, gel, acne, stability, thin film hydration

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