Investigation of potential of organogel carrying etodolac for anti-inflammatory activity

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate stable etodolac organogel preparation which will increase the solubility of etodolac and releases the drug for prolonged time period.Methods: The amount of the Span 80 and Tween 80 was added to the sesame oil containing propyl paraben. Etodolac was added to the mixtures of oil to formed gelator solution. Subsequently, water containing methyl paraben was added with constant stirring on magnetic stirrer until there was formation of organogel. Carbopol 934 was added to maintain the consistency of organogel. Formulated organogels were evaluated for their physical appearance, pH, viscosity, globule size, drug content, spreadability, gel-sol transition study, in vitro and ex vivo drug release, anti-inflammatory activity and stability.Results: Formulated organogel showed good physical appearance, acceptable skin pH (6 - 6.8), non-newtonian pseudoplastic system, drug contents (96.36±1.75), globule size (337.3 nm), spreadability (6.45±0.055 gm.cm/sec), gel-sol transition (650C) for selected batch, good extrudability, in vitro release (96.36%), ex vivo release (73.10%), skin irritation study did not showed any irritation reaction and possess a good anti-inflammatory activity.Conclusions: The drug release of selected batch OG3 showed 96.36% as compared to marketed gel. Similarly ex-vivo release of formulation showed 73.10% release through mice skin compared with marketed gel.