IMIQUIMOD LOADED MICROSPONGE GEL FOR EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF ACTINIC KERATOSIS: FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Dermatologists most frequently find actinic keratoses, which are pre-malignant lesions that can develop into squamous cell carcinomas.Microsponge delivery systems are used to improvethe safety, effectiveness and quality of topical prescription, over-the-counter and personalcareproducts.The microsponge was prepared by quasi emulsion method and was evaluated for its different parameters which revealed many interesting results for efficient preparation of the microsponges. The formulation F3 has better results than other 9 formulations. F3 have its particle size 31.3 µm, percentage yield 79.27, Entrapment efficiency 93.44%, Drug content 83.04%, Spreadability 14.4, pH 7.4, Viscosity 2564 cps, and Cumulative Release 49.89 % in 24 hour, all these parameters are in optimized range for preparing a controlled release dosage form so showing itself as an optimised formulation in this project work. FTIR spectroscopy analyses indicated the chemically stable, amorphous nature of the drug in these microsponges. SEM photographs revealed the spherical nature of the microsponges in all variations. However, at higher ratios, drug crystals were observed on the microsponge surface. With the revealed results by different evaluation parameters, it is concluded that microsponges drug delivery system has become highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology and more and more research are carrying out to optimize cost-effectiveness and efficacy of the therapy. It is a unique technology for the controlled release of topical agents and consists of microporous beads loaded with active agent and also use for oral as well as biopharmaceutical drug delivery. Keywords: Imiquimod,Mocrisponge Gel, Actinic Keratosis, Zeta Potential, Spreadability, Viscosity, Drug content.