About Authors:
Saritha. A. Surendran*, Prof.O.G. Vinaya, Santhosh. R. Iyer, Anisha. N.A
Calicut University, College Of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Govt. Medical College, Calicut,
Kerala, India
*sarithaasurendran@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Goal of the present investigation was to design and evaluate gels for topical delivery of water insoluble antifungal agent, Clotrimazole with an aim to increase its penetration through skin. Clotrimazole is a broad spectrum imidazole derivative useful in the treatment of superficial fungal infections. Purpose was to improve the solubility, invitro characteristics and dissolution properties of Clotrimazole by the preparation of its solid dispersion with beta cyclodextrin using kneading method by using different drug carrier ratios. Prepared solid dispersion was evaluated for percent practical yield, drug content uniformity, in vitro dissolution rate, DSC and IR studies. Solid dispersions was optimized based on the release characteristics, and were incorporated into gels. Faster dissolution was exhibited by solid dispersion containing l: l ratio of drug: β-cyclodextrin by kneading method. Gels have gained more importance because the gel-bases formulations are better percutaneously absorbed than creams and ointment bases. The gels were formulated by using Carbopol 940, HPMC, and Methyl cellulose and evaluated for pH, drug content, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity determination and diffusion study. Invitro drug release of clotrimazole solid dispersion incorporated gels was showed that Carbopol gels was showed higher drug release as compared to HPMC, methyl cellulose gels. Optimized gel was then undergone skin irritation test, stability studies, and invitro antifungal test. In conclusion, the optimized gel showed good physicochemical properties, better drug release, and reasonable stability