Background: The present study is to increase the transport of tenoxicam through transdermal route, and also to present it as a possible replacement for the oral NSAID therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Objective: The present investigation was to develop a tenoxicam nanogel with reduced particle size in order to improve the bioavailability of the anti-inflammatory drug, Tenoxicam, and evaluates its potential in carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Methods: The present study is to formulate nanosizes dispersion of tenoxicam by using Modified emulsification- diffusion Method and incorporation of gelling agent Noveon Polycarbophil AA-1 to produce nanogel. The formulation is characterized by standard procedure like rheology, particle size, drug content, in-vitro diffusion study of nanogel. Results: The formulations are characterized for rheological properties and it was found to be significant, the anti-inflammatory activity of tenoxicam nanogel was found comparable with standard Diclofenac Sodium gel and has shown edema inhibition 85% after 4 h of treatment. Particle size 213.1nm, drug content 97.05%, entrapment efficiency 89.30, drug diffusion 95.14% and pH 6.2. Conclusion: Formulated tenoxicam nanogel by using noveon polycarbophil AA-was found suitable as a standard topical gel formulation and it can be used safely for treatment of edema and rheumatoid arthritis
