Influence of iontophoresis on delivery of NSAID-loaded deformable liposomal dispersions: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Aim: Negatively charged deformable liposomes (DL) of ketoprofen were formulated to enhance transdermal delivery of ketoprofen (KP) under the influence of iontophoresis for intraarticular delivery. Methods: Conventional and deformable KP liposomes were prepared using thin film hydration, characterized and intraarticular delivery of KP was evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: Vesicles displayed entrapment efficiency (>71%); zeta potential <-25 mV; size between 152.4 ± 12.42 nm to 220.4 ± 6.22 nm, KP-DL were stable under iontophoresis. Conventional and deformable liposomes exhibited relatively higher iontophoretic flux values than passive flux; Iontophoretic delivery enhanced KP availability in the synovial fluid (1.34 ± 0.12 μg.h/ml) fourfold over passive delivery (0.329 ± 0.15 μg.h/ml). Conclusion: Iontophoretic mediated transport of deformable liposomes could improve transdermal delivery of ketoprofen into the synovial joints than conventional liposomes.