Emulgel: A Comprehensive Review For Topical Delivery of Antifungal Drugs

ABSTRACT Emulgel is a promising novel formulation for the topical delivery of antifungal drugs. Emulsions and gels synergize to deliver effective treatment solutions. The formulation of this type improves drug solubility, stability, and controlled release, which is effective in the treatment of fungal infections. Emulgels act as both emulsions and gels, thus improving bioavailability through dermal delivery. Such formulation enhancements ensure drug deposition in the target location, diminishing systemic absorption and reducing the eventual side effect profile. It is a distinctive gel-emulsion-based delivery system that combines the benefits of both gels and emulsions, providing double release control. Because of its thixotropic properties, non-greasy texture, easy application and removal, emollient activity, and longer shelf-life, this preparation has proven to be a very useful topical delivery system that also offers superior organoleptic properties. However, specific factors, formulation strategies, characterization parameters, and the consequences of different excipients on both stability and effectiveness in emulgels have been described in this review. This review compiles the advances in antifungal drug-loaded emulgels with an emphasis on recent developments, as well as challenges and opportunities to establish a realistic benchmark for further development in the optimized formulation of emulgels that can attain clinical application.1 Keywords: Emulgel, Microemulsion, Topical delivery, Antifungal drugs, Sustained release.