Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROSPONGES GEL FOR TOPICAL USE

Sumbul Rafat* and Lakshya Veer Singh

Abstract

The purpose behind undertaking this project was to formulate andevaluate gel containing microsponges of Clobetasol Propionate (CP) todeliver CP in a perennial manner for far-reaching time period to reduceapplication frequency, hypersensitive reactions and to improve safetythan conventional formulation. Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusionmethod was employed using Ethyl Cellulose as a polymer andmicrosponges with varied drug–polymer ratios were prepared. Foroptimization purposes, diverse factors affecting microsponges physicalproperties were investigated. Microsponges were characterized bySEM, FT-IR, and for particle size analysis and evaluated for drugcontent and drug loading, morphology and in-vitro release study aswell. No chemical interactions were found between drug and polymer used which can be seenin results of compatibility studies. Drug-polymer ratio manifested luminary effect onproduction yield, drug content and drug loading efficiency, drug release and particle size.SEM results revealed spherical microsponges with porous surface and had 22.09 μm meanparticle size. The best microsponges formulations were then incorporated into carbopol geland were evaluated for their viscosity, pH and in-vitro drug release study. The microspongesgel results depicted that gel formulation G-F4 with 1:1 drug–polymer ratio was more efficientto give extended drug release upto 75.75 % at the end of 12 h while conventional formulationexhausted extremely only after 2.5 h. Thus, the formulated microsponge-based gel ofclobetasol propionate would be a likely substitute to conventional therapy for safer andefficient treatment of inflammation, psoriasis and chronic hyperkeratotic eczema.

Keywords: Clobetasol Propionate, Microsponges, Polymer (Ethyl cellulose), Extended release.