Formulation and Characterization of Piroxicam Emulgel for Topical Drug Delivery

Pharmaceutical Science-Pharmacy for better health

Abstract

The aim and objective of this research work was to formulate and evaluate Piroxicam Emugel for topical drug delivery. Various concentration of gelling agent were used for preparation of Piroxicam Emugel along with emulsifiers Tween-80 and Span-80 with glycerine as a humectants.  The Clove  oil and eucalyptus  oil were  used as permeation  enhancer.  The formulated  Emulgel  was characterized  for their physical appearance, pH determination, spreadability, extrudability, drug content, in vitro drug release and stability studies. According to our results, the range of pH of the formulations was from 5.6±0.2 to 6.8±0.3 for final batches which is considered acceptable. Formulation F3, F4, F6 and F7 spreadability was found to be 32.03 ± 0.54 g.cm/sec, 30.79±0.2 g.cm/sec, 26.41±0.51 g.cm/sec and 30.44±0.6 g.cm/sec respectively. The Formulation F5 and F8 was prepared with higher concentration of carbopol i.e. 1.5 g were of in stiff category and the spreadabilty value found to be 18.14±0.36  g.cm/sec and 20.30±0.34 g.cm/sec respectively.  The percentage  swelling index was (F5, F6, F7 and F8) found to be 44.24 %, 27.35%,  31.98 % and 46.38 respectively.  Extrudability  of Formulation  F5 and F8 was less i.e. 17.32± 0.5 gm/cm2   and 20.39±0.58 gm/cm2  respectively as containing higher concentration of polymer. Formulation F3, F4, F6, F7 having optimum concentration of polymer extrudability was good i.e. 30.47±0.52 gm/cm2, 27.39±0.6 gm/cm2, 29.49±0.56 gm/cm2  and 26.90±0.6 gm/cm2  respectively. Extrudability was decreased with an increase in concentration  of Carbopol. Invitro drug release (98.45% in 8h) from the Emulgel, batch F7 was concluded as optimized batch. Drug release was in following order F5< F1< F3< F2< F4< F8 < F6 < F7. Presence of two Penetration enhancer’s Clove oil and Eucalyptus  oil has resulted  in better performance  as compared  to other formulations.  All these developed  emugel  formulation  have acceptable  physical  properties,  hence F7 can be considered  as the optimized  formulation.  From this research,  the formulated  Emulgel  of Piroxicam would be an effective alternative to conventional delivery of Piroxicam  for the management of pain and inflammation.