Formulation of Microemulsion Systems for Improvement of Nitrofurazone Permeation Through Silicon Membrane as Burn Wound Imitating Coverage

Development and evaluation of new microemulsion-based hydrogel formulations for topical delivery of fluconazole

The aim of the present investigation was to develop and evaluate microemulsion-loaded hydrogels (MEHs) for the topical delivery of fluconazole (FZ). The solubility of FZ in oils, surfactants and cosurfactants was evaluated to identify the components of the microemulsion. The pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed using the novel phase diagram by micro-plate dilution method. Carbopol EDT 2020 was used to convert FZ-loaded microemulsions into gel form without affecting their structure. The selected microemulsions were assessed for globule size, zeta potential and polidispersity index. Besides this, the microemulsion-loaded hydrogel (MEH) formulations were evaluated for drug content, pH, rheological properties and in vitro drug release through synthetic membrane and excised pig ear skin in comparison with a conventional hydrogel. The optimised MEH FZ formulations consisting of FZ 2%, Transcutol P 11.5% and 11%, respectively, as oil phase, Lansurf SML 20-propyleneglycol 52% and 50%, respectively, as surfactant-cosurfactant (2:1), Carbopol EDT 2020 1.5% as gelling agent and water 34.5% and 37%, respectively, showed highest flux values and high release rate values, and furthermore, they had low surfactant content. The in vitro FZ permeation through synthetic membrane and excised pig ear skin from the studied MEHs was best described by the zero-order and first-order models. Finally, the optimised MEH FZ formulations showed similar or slightly higher antifungal activity as compared to that of conventional hydrogel and Nizoral® cream, respectively. The results suggest the potential use of developed MEHs as vehicles for topical delivery of FZ, encouraging further in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Preparation and characterization of dexamethasone microemulsion based on pseudoternary phase diagram

Background

The increased incidence of inflammatory diseases has necessitated the need to search for new topical dosage form of dexamethasone.

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was the preparation and evaluation of novel microemulsion as a topical delivery system for dexamethasone by mixing appropriate amount of surfactant including Tween 80 and Labrasol, cosurfactant such as capryol 90 and oil phase including labrafac lipophile wl-transcutol P (10:1 ratio).

Materials and Methods

The prepared microemulsions were evaluated regarding their particle size, zeta potential, X-Ray scattering, conductivity, stability, viscosity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), refractory index (RI), pH, and x-ray diffraction (XRD).

Results

The results showed that the maximum oil was incorporated in microemulsion system that contained surfactant to cosurfactant ratio of 4:1. The mean droplet size range of microemulsion formulation was in the range of 5.09 to 159 nm, and its refractory index (RI) and pH were 1.44 and 7, respectively. Viscosity range was 57-226 cps. Drug release profile showed that 48.18% of the drug released in the 24 hours of experiment. Also, Hexagonal, cubic and lamellar structures were seen in the SEM photograph and XRD peak of microemulsions.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that physicochemical properties and in vitro release were dependent upon the contents of S/C, water, and oil percentage in formulations. SAXS technique and SEM obtained important information about microstructure of microemulsions. W/O and bicontinuous microemulsion with different microstructures were found in formulations.