TOPICAL DELIVERY OF SUMATRIPTAN EMULGEL: DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, IN VITRO, EX VIVO CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO-EX VIVO CORRELATION

Emulgels have emerged as a promising drug delivery system for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. The objective of the study was to prepare emulgel of, using Carbopol 940P as a gelling agent which has good viscosity which makes them fairly popular for controlling the flow properties of topically applied dosage forms as they are inexpensive, transparent, harmless, easy to wash and prepare and clove oil were used as penetration enhancers The emulsion was prepared and it was incorporated in gel base. The formulations were evaluated for rheological studies, spreading coefficient studies, in vitro release, ex vivo release studies. Developed emulgel formulations possessed the required physicochemical properties such as good physical appearance, drug content uniformity, excellent spreadability and extrudability. F4 were subjected to stability studies which showed satisfactory results. Stability study of the formulation showed no significant changes in the drug content as well as physical characteristics. The formulation (F4) has fulfilled the objectives of the present study like increasing the bioavailability, reduction in the frequency of administration, improved patient compliance

Key words: Emulgel, Transparent, Carbopol 940P, spreadability, extrudability,