Objective: The present work was aimed to prepare niosomes entrapping salbutamol sulphate (SS) using reversed phase evaporation method (REV).Methods: Niosomes were prepared by mixing span 60 and cholesterol in 1:1 molar ratio in chloroform, SS in water was then added to organic phase to form niosomal SS. Formulations after evaporation of chloroform, freeze centrifuged then lyophilized, were evaluated for particles size, polydispersity index (Pdi), zeta-potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%) and in vitro release. For pulmonary delivery; metered dose inhalers (MDI) were prepared by suspending SS niosomes equivalent to 20 mg SS in hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). The metered valve was investigated for leakage rate, the total number of puffs/canister, weight/puff, dose uniformity and particle size.Results: The results showed spherical niosomes with 400-451 nm particles that entrapped 66.19% of SS. 76.54±0.132% SS release from niosomes that showed a controlled release profile for 8h. The leakage test was not exceeding 4 mg/3 d, the number of puffs were up to 200puffs/canister, the dose delivered/puff was 0.1 mg and 0.64-4.51μm niosomal aerosol.Conclusion: The results indicate an encouraging strategy to formulate a controlled drug delivery by entrapping (SS) in niosomes which could be packaged into (MDI) that met the requirements of (USP) aerosols guidelines which offering a novel approach to respiratory delivery.
Pressurised metered dose inhalers with spacers versus nebulisers for -agonist delivery in acute asthma in children in the emergency department
