Characterisation of ionic liquids nanoemulsion loaded with piroxicam for drug delivery system

In this study, ionic liquid-in-oil nanoemulsions (IL/o NEs) system were formulated by using two types of ionic liquids, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [Hmim][Cl] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [Bmim][PF6] in differences mass ratio with Tween-80/Span-20 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:3. They were tested for stability study before undergo characterisation, rheology behaviour and released study in order to get the best result of NE system. The high concentration of Tween-80 in the formulation of NEs shows high stability from separation, creaming, sedimentation and flocculation. The droplet sizes, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency (%) and pH value for all formulations were considered in the range of 100 to 500 nm, − 37.3 to − 55.3 mV, 60.02% to 98.76% and 4.72 to 5.50 respectively. Spherical droplets were seen in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the nanoemulsions. Rheological studies showed non-Newtonian shear thinning behaviour at low shear rate up to 14 S− 1 of NE for both ionic liquids. Nanoemulsions insertion of Piroxicam was used to investigate the in vitro drug releases via dialysis bag method. The permeation of drug demonstrated the optimized surfactant ratio is 2:1 and ionic liquid is [Hmim][Cl] with 93% of drug released. It is concluded that the NEs prepared from ionic liquids offered a good potential as a carrier for drug delivery of Piroxicam.