Nimesulide has extensively used for the treatment of acute pain, osteoarthritis and primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and adults above 12 years old and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory conditions. The purpose of the study was to investigate the nimesulide microemulsion based gel formulation for topical delivery. Five microemulsions were prepared using isopropyl myristate as oil phase, tween80/propylene glycol as surfactant/ co-surfactant and an aqueous solution as the external phase. Pseudo ternary phase diagrams were constructed to obtain the concentration range of oil, surfactant and co-surfactant for microemulsion formation. From these microemulsions gels were prepared and are evaluated for spreadability, viscosity, homogeneity, consistency, pH etc. In vitro drug release studies were conducted using excised rat skins. Carbopol 934 was used to prepare the micro emulsion based hydrogel for improving the viscosity of microemulsion for topical administration. The micro emulsion based hydrogel showed a good stability and human skin tolerability. These results indicate that the micro emulsion based hydrogel may be a promising vehicle for topical delivery of nimesulide.
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