Formulation and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Topical Niosomal Gel of Erythromycin

ABSTRACTErythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces erythreus. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunits; binding inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with translocation of amino acids during translation and assembly of proteins. Erythromycin may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on the organism and drug concentration. The drugs in the form of topical gels avoid gastro-intestinal irritation, to overcome first pass effect and to maximize the drug concentration at the site of action. The main objective of the study is to formulate and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of erythromycin formulation for effective topical delivery of the drug. The antimicrobial activity of the erythromycin loaded gel is carried by cup-plate method and the zone of inhibition was noted. The current analysis demonstrates persistence release of drug, an increase in amount of drug maintenance into skin and enhanced permeation across the skin after entrapment of Erythromycin into niosomal topical gel. Keywords: Niosomes, Erythromycin, Antimicrobial activity, topical delivery, cup-plate method, Niosomal Gel and Skin Retention.