Rifampicin Niosome: Preparations, Characterizations and Antibacterial Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolated from Acne

Niosomes, a vesicular formulation, has been explored extensively for topical application to enhance skin penetration as well as to improve skin retention of drugs. In this study, three different rifampicin (1% w/w) niosomal formulations were prepared. Span 60, propylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methanol and distilled water were used in the formulations. Different rifampicin niosomal formulations containing 12% (RN-F1), 16% (RNF2) and 20% (RN-F3) of Span 60 were prepared by injection method. Rifampicin content of each formulation was determined by UV spectrophotometer at 475 nm. Niosome particle size was measured by laser scattering method using Mastersizer 2000. Volume average diameter, d 50 of different formulations were found 8.488 nm (RN-F1), 12.533 nm (RN-F2) and 12.375 (RN-F3). Niosome preparations were also characterized by entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release and pH stability test. Results of entrapment efficiency were found to be 55.11%, 57.66% and 60.17% for RN-F1, RN-F2 and RN-F3, respectively. Drug release pattern of RN-F2 and RN-3 formulations showed sustained release at controlled rate. All formulations were more stable at pH 5.8 to 7.0. Antibacterial effect of rifampicin niosomes was evaluated against S. epidermidis and S. aureus isolated from acne by antibiotic sensitivity and time kill study. The results of time kill study revealed that up to 96% of bacteria were killed within 4 hours. In this experiment, rifampicin niosomes were successfully prepared for the intention of targeting antibacterial effect in acne Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 14(1): 117-123, 2015 (June)