الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study aims to development, characterization, optimization of doxycycline-loaded niosomes. Doxycycline, a matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor (MMPs inhibitor), can inhibit angiogenesis that plays an essential role in maintaining the chronic inflammatory state by transporting inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation and supplying nutrients and oxygen to the proliferating inflamed tissue. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a novel therapeutic strategy against rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Different batches of niosomes were prepared by sonication technique. The niosomes were characterized by Malvern Zetasizer, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
Carbopol 940 was chosen to enhance the viscosity of niosomes. In-vitro release studies from gel formulation showed the best fitting to the Higuchi diffusion model with a correlation coefficient of 0.9916. A 28-day anti-arthritic evaluation (body weight, paw oedema, haematological parameters and histopathology) on carrageenan-induced arthritic rat model after topical application of doxycycline-loaded niosomal gel in rats showed a significant reversal of arthritic symptoms.