FORMULATION, EVALUATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF CLOTRIMAZOLE SOLID DISPERSION INCORPORATED GELS

Surendran Saritha.A.*, Vinaya O.G.

ABSTRACT

The goal of the present investigation was to design and evaluate gels for topical delivery of water insoluble antifungal agent; Clotrimazole is a broad spectrum imidazole derivative useful in the treatment of superficial fungal infections. Purpose was to improve the solubility, in-vitro characteristics and dissolution properties of Clotrimazole by the preparation of its solid dispersion with beta cyclodextrin using kneading method by using different drug carrier ratios. Prepared solid dispersion was evaluated for percent practical yield, drug content uniformity, in vitro dissolution rate, DSC and IR studies. Solid dispersions was optimized based on the release characteristics, and were incorporated into gels. Faster dissolution was exhibited by solid dispersion containing l: l ratio of drug: β-cyclodextrin by kneading method. The gels were formulated by using Carbopol 940, HPMC, and Methyl cellulose and evaluated for pH, drug content, spread ability, extra ability, viscosity determination and diffusion study. In-vitro drug release of Clotrimazole solid dispersion with Carbopol gels showed higher drug release when compared to HPMC, methyl cellulose gels. In conclusion, the optimized gel showed good physicochemical properties, better drug release, and reasonable stability.

Keywords: Solid dispersion, clotrimazole, β Cyclodextrin, Kneading method, Carbopol.