FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF OXICONAZOLE B-CYCLODEXTRIN COMPLEX INCORPORATED TOPICAL GEL

Oxiconazole nitrate is antifungal drug having low solubility. An attempt was made to increase the solubility by solid dispersion technique. Twelve solid dispersion formulations were prepared by solvent evaporation and kneading method using β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin as carrier. In vitro release profiles of all solid dispersions were evaluated and were compared with that of pure drug. Optimized formulation (F-3) was then incorporated in gel using Carbopol 940p as gelling agent. The formulated gel was evaluated for various parameters like percentage yield, drug content, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, drug content, in vitro drug release, in vitro kinetics, antifungal properties, skin irritation and stability studies. The percentage yield obtained was 98.9% and the pH was 6.83. The viscosity was 50,000cp and also showed good spreadability and extrudability. Drug content was found to be 91.6%. The gel formulation showed in vitro release 92.48% whereas marketed formulation showed 76.66% at the end of 8 hrs. The antifungal activity showed greater zone of inhibition than that of marketed formulation and there was no skin irritation on rats. Hence, complex incorporated in gel can be a potential method to improve the solubility of poorly water soluble drugs.