Formulation Development And Evaluation Of Sertaconazole Nitrate Emulgel By Synthetic Polymer

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a topical emulgel containing Sertaconazole nitrate, an imidazole-class antifungal agent with poor aqueous solubility, aimed at enhancing drug delivery and release characteristics. The emulgel was developed using Sepineo P600, a synthetic polymer, along with surfactants Span 80 and Tween 80, and other excipients including propylene glycol, light liquid paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, and isopropyl myristate. A total of nine formulations (F1–F9) were prepared by varying the concentrations of Sepineo P600 and Span 80 to assess their impact on physicochemical properties and drug release. All formulations were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and in vitro drug diffusion. The pH values ranged between 6.00 to 6.25, suitable for topical application. Viscosity increased with higher concentrations of Sepineo P600, ranging from 5183 to 7356 cP, which correspondingly led to a decrease in spreadability from 14.7 to 10.5 g·cm/sec. Drug content in all formulations remained stable, varying between 97.25% and 102.02%, with F9 showing the highest content. In vitro diffusion studies revealed that formulation F3 exhibited the highest cumulative drug release of 99.47% at 8 hours, indicating optimal release kinetics and sustained drug delivery, likely due to balanced polymer and surfactant concentrations. Formulations with higher polymer concentration showed slower release due to increased viscosity, while increased surfactant (Span 80) content enhanced diffusion rates. The findings confirm that emulgel systems can improve the delivery of hydrophobic antifungal drugs like Sertaconazole nitrate. Among the tested formulations, F3 demonstrated superior performance in terms of drug diffusion, stability, and physical characteristics, suggesting its potential as an effective alternative to conventional topical antifungal treatments.