Preparation of Niosomes

A Thin film hydration technique.

Preparation

Initial trials were performed by using span 20, span 80, tween 20 and tween 80 as cholesterol and
non ionic surfactants in the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 respectively. Total 8 formulations were
developed using 2mg of vincristine. The above mentioned molar ratios of non ionic surfactant
and cholesterol were dissolved in 10ml of methanol in a volumetric flask which was attached to a
rotary flash evaporator. To this lipid solution 2mg of drug was added. The solvent was
evaporated under vacuum at a temperature of 400 C and flask was allowed to rotate at a speed of
100 rpm until a smooth, dry lipid film was obtained on the walls of flask. Traces of solvent were
removed by keeping the flask in a desiccator under vacuum for overnight. The dried film was
rehydrated with 10ml of phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for about 45min at 600C in the rotary
evaporator. Further the hydrated niosomes were sonicated for 10min using a bath sonicator and
the formulations were stored under refrigeration condition for further evaluation studies.

Table-: Composition of Niosomal Vincristine (F1 to F8)

S.No. Ingredients (mg) F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8

1 Vincristine 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

2 Cholesterol 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

2 Span 20 100 200 300 400 - - - -

3 Span 80 - - - - 100 200 300 400

4 Tween 20 100 200 300 400 - - - -

5 Tween 80 - - - - 100 200 300 400