Preparation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Fungal Activity of Clotrimazole Loaded Microsponge based Gel

Background: Numerous attempts have been made that divert from the usual delivery systems for dermatological applications to uplift us onto the development of their substitute. In the last few decades, microsponges have come into existence as an alternative for the delivery of medicaments through a topical route. The small size of a particle delivers benefits that make them preferable to the modern micro carriers. Microsponge-based gels are growing as new progress for delivering the feebly aqueous soluble drugs at the site of action. Aim: The present research furnishes the formulation, evaluation and mechanism depicting the release of drug from microsponge-based Carbopol gel applied topically, associated with the characterization techniques and antifungal activity. The purpose of the current study was to formulate a topical preparation with controlled release characteristics using a Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) along with minimal side effects allied with improved product efficiency in the form of microsponges. Methods: Clotrimazole (CTZ) loaded microsponges were formulated employing quasi quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique using different types of polymers in different ratios with drug and drug-polymer complex emphasizing Kinetic Modeling. The prepared microsponges were characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, production yield, drug content, and in vitro release studies using Franz Diffusion cell as dissolution apparatus. Scanning electron microscopic images of CTZ-loaded microsponges depicted spherical shapes and contained pores. Microsponges of CTZ were then incorporated into a 2% carbopol-based gel and examined for pH value, texture profile analysis, drug content, and in vitro drug release studies. Results: The prepared batch G5 was retrieved to be optimal as it depicted a controlled release of CTZ in 48 hrs following the Higuchi model. An optimized gel formulation of CTZ (G5) was evaluated with the marketed product and pure drug (CTZ) based gel for antifungal action against Candida albicans, at different concentrations using DMSO as a solvent and reflects with 1% concentration. The prepared formulations have comparative antifungal activity with marketed formulations as well as pure drugs. Conclusion: The present technique of microsponge-based gel drug delivery system offers a vast potential for sustained release of a wide range of drug candidates for effective topical delivery thereby improving patient compliance.