Formulation and Characterization of Clotrimazole Microemulsions and Microemulsion-Based Gels

Abstract

This study aimed to formulate and physically characterized clotrimazole microemulsions and microemulsion based-gels compared with their blank counterparts. Microemulsions were prepared by simple mixing of isopropyl palmitate, 2:1 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol and 1:1 mixture of polyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan monooleate. To develop microemulsion-based gels, fumed silica was use as a thickening agent at 2.5, 5 or 7.5% w/w. All studied formulations, i.e., 2 microemulsions and 6 microemulsion based-gels were investigated for physical properties such as appearance, conductivity, pH, rheological behavior and spreadability. Afterwards, 2 microemulsions (ME1 and ME2) and 2 microemulsion based-gels (MBG1-3 and MBG2-2) were selected to incorporate with clotrimazole and then investigated for physical properties. All formulations showed good appearance and physical properties. Clotrimazole did not a®ect most characteristics of their blank counterparts, except conductivity. Therefore, the investigated microemulsions and microemulsion based gels could be used as the vehicles of clotrimazole for skin drug delivery.

Antidermatophytic Activity and Skin Retention of Clotrimazole Microemulsion and Microemulsion-Based Gel in Comparison to Conventional Cream

“…Indeed, the mixture of surfactants enhanced the penetration of CTZ through the fungal cells. In addition, the CTZ-ME and CTZ-MBG were of water-in-oil (w/o) type [15]. Thus, CTZ located in the external oil phase was easily diffused to inhibit T. mentagrophytes growth in Sabouraud dextrose agar.…”

“…For drug-loaded formulations, CTZ was directly dissolved in the blank ME for preparation of the liquid form (CTZ-ME), and 7.5% w/w fumed silica was then dispersed for preparation of the gel form (CTZ-MBG). The drug concentration in both CTZ-ME and CTZ-MBG was 1% w/w [15][16][17][18].…”

“…Recently, our group successfully formulated CTZ in ME and MBG composed of different ratios of the oil phase, water phase, surfactant blend and gelling agent [15]. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was validated for the quantification of CTZ in the developed formulations [16].…”

Preparation, Characterization, and Optimization of Microemulsion for Topical Delivery of Itraconazole

“…After being equilibrated, the mixtures were assessed visually and determined as a microemulsion or coarse emulsions. The phase diagram constructed using PROSIM software 4, [14][15][16] .…”

“…The prepared microemulsion diluted with Water with proper dilution. After ensuring complete dispersion of the formulation the droplet size of resultant ME was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy that analyzes the fluctuation in light scattering due to the Brownian motion of the droplets as a function of time using a DLS spectrophotometer (Model DLS700, Malvern Electronics Company Ltd., Japan).The average diameter (Z-AVE) and polydispersity index (PDI) of ME were determined by using a Malvern (Model DLS700, Malvern Electronics Company Ltd., Japan) at a fixed angle of 90˚ and at 25˚C 14,15,17 .…”