Journal of Pain & Relief
Open Access

Abstract

Piroxicam is a drug used in pain management and its effectiveness depends on dissolution rate and consequently, bioavailability. The objectives of this study are to improve the solubility, dissolution rate and stability of Piroxicam. Goat fat was extracted from the adipose tissues of goat (Capra hircus) by wet rendering while irvingia fat was extracted from Irvingia gabonensis var excelsa (Irvingia wombolu) using petroleum ether (40-60°C). Piroxicam structured lipid carriers (LCs) were formulated using melt homogenization (60°C) of lipid matrices (5 %w/w) comprising goat fat and irvingia fat at 3:1 and 4:1 ratios, Labrasol® solution (1.5 %w/w) and sorbic acid(0.1 %w/w) in distilled water. The lipid carriers were characterized by drug encapsulation efficiency, yield, particle size, thermal properties, drug release and diffusion. The yield and particle size of the LCs were 98% and 4 μm, respectively, while the drug encapsulation efficiency of 4:1 and 3:1 LCs were 95% and 97%, respectively. All the formulations were stable. The drug delivery systems showed controlled release of Piroxicam and 3:1 goat fat/irvingia fat LCs showed higher delivery, releasing 49.8% of the drug after 8 h. Structured homolipid carriers can be used for improved delivery of Piroxicam which may increase the effectiveness of the drug in pain management.

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