The Formulation Development & Evaluation of Econazole Nitrate Topical Emulgel

Abstract

Topical drug delivery has been used for centuries for the treatment of local skin disorders. Emulgel have emerged as one of the most interesting topical delivery system as it has dual control release system i.e. gel and emulsion. One side the topical applications of the drug offers the potential advantages of delivering the drug directly to the site of action and secondly delivering the drug for extended period of time at the effected site. The major objective behind this formulation is enhancing the topical delivery of hydrophobic drug (Econazole Nitrate) by formulating Econazole nitrate Emulgel using three types of gelling agents: water soluble polymer Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940 and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMCK4M). Oleic acid is used as permeation enhancer. The prepared Emulgel were evaluated for their physical appearance, pH determination, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, in vitro drug release, skin irritation test and stability. All the prepared Emulgel formulation showed acceptable physical properties, consistency, spreadability, viscosity and Ph value. The best Optimized formulation F1 compared with marketed Econazole Nitrate xiii cream. The in vitro release rate of Emulgel was evaluated using Diffusion cell containing Rat skin membrane with phosphate buffer pH 7.4 as the receptor medium. The release rate of the optimized F1 Formulation was found to follow Higuchi model. The Emulgel were found to be stable with respect to colour, pH, and drug content at room temperature and conditions for one month.