Formulation and In-vitro, In-vivo Evaluation of Itraconazole and Itraconazole Co-Crystals Loaded Glyceryl Monooleate Based Liquid Crystalline Gel

Abstract

The objectives of present investigation were to prepare and evaluate liquid crystalline gel, study the effect of water concentration on liquid crystalline phases, incorporate antifungal agent and itraconazole (ITZ) co-crystals into liquid crystalline vehicle. Liquid crystalline gel formulations were prepared by using glyceryl mono-oleate GMO, water and other excipients. The prepared gel formulations were evaluated for various parameters like rheological, in vitro drug diffusion and in vivo skin irritation test etc. Differential scanning calorimetric spectra of ITZ loaded gel showed higher transition peak temperature 96.71oC and ITZ loaded co-crystal gel showed 99.2oC and pH 6.8 and 6.5 respectively. Enhanced rate of diffusion was observed when gels were loaded with co-crystals. The prepared liquid crystalline gel formulations containing itraconazole and its co-crystals were found useful in a topical delivery with improvement for in vitro and in vivo performance.