FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF TRANSFERSOMAL GEL OF MICONAZOLE NITRATE

Miconazole nitrate (MCN) is an antifungal drug used for treatment of superficial fungal infections. However, it has low skin permeability. Hence, the objective of this study was to prepare miconazole nitrate using transfersomes to overcome the barrier function of the skin. MCN transfersomes were prepared using a thin lipid film hydration technique. The prepared transfersomes were evaluated with respect to morphological study, particle size analysis, zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency and quantity of in vitro drug released to obtain an optimized formulation. The optimized formulation of MCN transfersomes was incorporated into a Poloxamer 407, HPMC K15, propylene glycol gel base which was evaluated for pH, rheological study, content uniformity, in vitro drug release study and stability studies. The average vesicle size of optimized formulation (F-4) observed as 187.38±2.61µm, zeta potential observed as -44.68±1.45mV and %EE was found as 82.86±5.27%. The in vitro release study suggested that there was an inverse relationship between EE% and in vitro release. The kinetic analysis of all release profiles was found to follow Korsemeyer-peppas model. Stability studies for prepared formulations were also performed. Transferosomal vesicles stored at refrigeration condition were physically stable. Therefore, miconazole nitrate in the form of transfersomes has the ability to penetrate the skin, overcoming the stratum corneum barrier.

Keywords: Transfersomes; Miconazole nitrate; Entrapment efficiency; Poloxamer 407.