Abstract
The present study explored the effectiveness of bile-salt-based nano-vesicular carriers (bilosomes) for delivering anti-psychotic medication, Sulpiride (Su), via the skin. A response surface methodology (RSM), using a 3(3) Box-Behnken design (BBD) in particular, was employed to develop and optimize drug-loaded bilosomal vesicles. The optimized bilosomes were assessed based on their vesicle size, entrapment efficiency (% EE), and the amount of Sulpiride released. The Sulpiride-loaded bilosomal gel was generated by incorporating the optimized Su-BLs into a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymer. The obtained gel was examined for its physical properties, ex vivo permeability, and in vivo pharmacokinetic performance. The optimum Su-BLs exhibited a vesicle size of 211.26 ± 10.84 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 80.08 ± 1.88% and a drug loading capacity of 26.69 ± 0.63%. Furthermore, the use of bilosomal vesicles effectively prolonged the release of Su over a period of twelve hours. In addition, the bilosomal gel loaded with Su exhibited a three-fold increase in the rate at which Su transferred through the skin, in comparison to oral-free Sulpiride. The relative bioavailability of Su-BL gel was almost four times as high as that of the plain Su suspension and approximately two times as high as that of the Su gel. Overall, bilosomes could potentially serve as an effective technique for delivering drugs through the skin, specifically enhancing the anti-psychotic effects of Sulpiride by increasing its ability to penetrate the skin and its systemic bioavailability, with few adverse effects.