A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Migraine

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine ranks in the top 20 of the world's mostdisabling medical illnesses with more than 10 % of the population, including children, sufferingfrom the migraine. Sumatriptan Succinate is a choice of drug used for the treatment of migrainewhen received at oral dose its bioavailability is approximately 14%. Considering the lowbioavailability after oral and intranasal administration, due to presystemic metabolism andincomplete absorption as well as additional inconveniences associated with parenteral & oraladministration, the exploitation of an alternative route of sumatriptan topical delivery, such astopical gel could sort out mentioned problem and enhance its therapeutic benefit up to possibleextent. Topical delivery systems of Sumatriptan succinate gel were formulated using polymerslike HPMC, Carbopol 934 & Pectin and penetration enhancers like eucalyptus oil, menthol &oleic acid. The gels were evaluated for various parameters such as homogeneity, grittiness,extrudability, in vitro drug release, viscosity, pH, spreadability and drug content. The release rateof gel obeyed koresmeyerpeppas kinetics. It can be concluded that HPMC gel has propertiessimilar to marketed preparation and eucalyptus oil acts as a good penetration enhancer informulation as compare to menthol & oleic acid.