IN-VITRO RELEASE OF ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS WITH BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN FROM HYDROPHILIC GEL BASES

New gel delivery systems for the local application of three non-steroi dal anti-inflammatory drugs consist of drugs with beta-cyclodextrin in corporated in the hydrophilic matrix of Aerosil 200, methylcellulose a nd hydroxypropylmethylcellulose polymers. The systems were evaluated b y infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and differential scannin g calorimetry techniques. The effect of beta-cyclodextrin on the relea se of piroxicam, flubiprofen and diclofenac sodium from the hydrophili c gel bases was investigated. Diclofenac sodium and flurbiprofen showe d higher release rates (up to 90%) from Aerosil and hydroxypropylmethy lcellulose respectively, and proved the superiority of the proposed fo rmulae to the conventional one. The formulation containing diclofenac sodium/beta-cyclodextrin showed the best release characteristics of th e three drugs from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose gel base. The formulat ions showed good stability after twelve weeks at 20 degrees C.