Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International

Aims: The aim of the present study was to develop an emulgel formulation of Clotrimazole using carbopol 934 or hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose 2910 as a gelling agent. The influence of the type of gelling agent and the concentration of both the oil phase and the emulsifying agent on the release of the drug and its microbial activity were investigated using 2³ factorial designs. In addition, rheological properties were also evaluated.
Methodology: Within the major group of semisolid preparations, emulgel has emerged as a promising drug delivery system for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. Different emulgel formulations were optimized using a 2³ factorial design considering three independent factors at two levels; gelling agent (carbopol 934 and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, liquid paraffin (2.5% and 5%) and emulsifying agent (1.5 and 2.5%). The amount of drug released (Y₁) and the antifungalactivity (Y₂) were chosen as two dependent responses. The prepared emulgel were also evaluated for their physical properties, pH, drug content and rheological properties.
Results: The prepared emulgel exhibited higher release when compared with canest in cream as a market product. Rheological study revealed that the emulgel exhibited a thixotropic behavior. Candida albicans was used as a model fungus to evaluate the antifungal activity of the prepared formulations achieved using canestin cream as a control. Stability studies revealed no significant differences before and after storage for the selected formula.
Conclusion: It was suggested that Clotrimazole emulgel formulation (F6) prepared using HPMC 2910 as gelling agent, emulsifying agent in its high level and liquid paraffin in its low level was the formula of choice since it showed the highest drug release and the highest antifungal activity.