FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EMULGEL FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY OF ISOCONAZOLE TO TREAT FUNGAL DISEASES
Abstract
Fungal infections have become a pressing concern, especially given the increasing population of immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to such diseases. Traditional topical drug delivery systems have a long history in treating localized skin ailments, and one such system gaining prominence is the emulgel. Emulgels offer the advantage of successfully incorporating hydrophobic medicinal components while harnessing the unique properties of gels. These formulations are emollient, non-staining, possess a high shelf life, are environmentally friendly, exhibit translucency, and boast an attractive appearance. Consequently, this study aims to formulate and evaluate an emulgel containing Isoconazole for the treatment of fungal diseases. The preparation and evaluation of the emulgel were conducted following standard protocols. The results demonstrated that all six formulations exhibited good washability, an absence of clogging, and homogeneity. The color of each formulation resembled a white cream, and extrudability ranged from excellent to average. Spreadability ranged from a minimum of 10.32 for F3 to a maximum of 13.36 for F4. The highest viscosity was observed for F4 at 3265±14 cps, while the lowest viscosity was noted for F3 at 3115±11 cps. The pH of all formulations closely matched the skin's pH, making them acceptable for topical application. Moreover, % drug content studies revealed that formulation F3 had the highest drug content at 99.12±0.25%. Analyzing the % cumulative drug release of formulations F1-F6, it became evident that F3 achieved the maximum drug release within 4 hours. In vitro drug release data for the optimized formulation, F3, further confirmed its suitability for treating fungal infections. Therefore, it can be concluded that Isoconazole emulgel, with its hydrophobic nature, represents a potential topical alternative for the effective treatment of skin infections. The controlled release of the drug enhances bioavailability, making this emulgel a promising avenue for drug delivery in the context of fungal illnesses.
Keywords: Fungal infections, Skin infections, Isoconazole, Topical drug delivery, Emulgel
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