Design, Development and in Vitro Characterization of Emulgels Loaded with Fluconazole Solid Dispersion and Various Oils for Synergestic Anti-Fungal Effect

Abstract

Topical Fungal Infections are the most common types of skin infections. Nearly a billion people are suffering from fungal infections of different types. Early accurate diagnosis and treatments may lead to complete cure of such infections, which if left untreated may lead to deadly results. Our current Research topic includes designing of antifungal emulgels that contain oil base which already has proven its efficacy against fungal infections and Fluconazole as the main active ingredients. Three oils were selected namely Tea tree oil, Neem oil and Lemon grass oil. To enhance the efficacy of BCS class II drug fluconazole, solid dispersions of the drug were prepared(F1-F6). Twelve formulations (EGF1-EGF12) containing various combination of oils, gelling agents, API, Aloe vera gel were prepared. Which were then evaluated and characterized for properties like drug content, Rheological study, spread ability, Drug release, pH, stability analysis etc. Among all the formulations EGF2 and EGF5 showed optimum results for drug content and drug release kinetics. The Best selected formulations were then compared with marketed gel formulation of Fluconazole and were kept for stability study analysis. Preformulation studies of the drug, preparation of solid dispersions, incorporation of these solid dispersions into emulgels and characterization of prepared emulgels by comparing with marketed formulations are the main key points of our Research work.