Chitosan gel-embedded moxifloxacin niosomes: An efficient antimicrobial hybrid system for burn infection

[Display omitted] •A niosome-in-chitosan gel hybrid system for topical moxifloxacin delivery is proposed.•The moxifloxacin niosomal gel systems exhibited sustainable release behaviors.•The hybrid system showed adequate bioadhesiveness and pseudo-plastic flow behavior.•Niosomal formulation showed a higher antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa.•Chitosan gels markedly enhanced the efficacy of moxifloxacin against S. aureus. The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize a hybrid system of moxifloxacin loaded niosomes incorporated into chitosan gel as a potential carrier for topical antimicrobial delivery. The prepared system was characterized regarding entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, in vitro drug release kinetics, morphology, FTIR analysis, bioadhesive strength and rheological behavior. The effect of different formulation parameters (surfactant type, surfactant to drug ratio, cholesterol percentage and loading methodology) on moxifloxacin entrapment and drug release was evaluated. The antibacterial effectiveness of various formulations was also assessed by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentrations, minimal bactericidal concentrations and agar diffusion assay using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as model pathogens. The optimized niosomal formulation showed 73% drug entrapment, 47% drug release in 8h and was ∼290nm in particle diameter and negatively charged (ζ∼−23mV). The gel-embedded niosomes exhibited pseudo-plastic flow behavior and more sustained drug release profile compared to niosomes. The niosomal formulation of moxifloxacin was the most efficient system against P. aeruginosa, while gel based formulations were superior against S. aureus. Taken together, moxifloxacin-in-niosomes-in-gels hold great promise for topical microbial infections.