Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac-Loaded Niosomal Suspension for Topical Drug Delivery

A common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) administered to treat pain and inflammation is diclofenac. However, taking it orally is often linked to kidney damage, cardiovascular risks, and gastrointestinal irritation. Novel drug delivery methods like niosomes have drawn a lot of attention as a way to get around these restrictions. Niosomes are vesicular systems based on non-ionic surfactants that can improve targeted delivery, skin penetration, and drug stability. The formulation strategies, preparation techniques, characterisation parameters, benefits, drawbacks, and most recent developments in diclofenac-loaded niosomal suspensions for topical drug delivery are covered in this review. Evaluation methods such particle size analysis, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential testing, and in-vitro release investigations are also highlighted in the paper. Niosomal systems have the ability to reduce systemic side effects while increasing therapeutic efficacy.