Formulation and Evolution of Ketoconazole Hydrogel Gel TopicalDelivery System against Fungal Infection

Abstract

The aim of present study was to formulate and evaluate ketoconazole loaded hydrogel for effective topical delivery against fungal infections. Hydrogels of KTZ were prepared by chemical polymerization method. Various concentrations of gelling agent and crosslinking agent were used in the preparation. All the 10 formulations HG1, HG2, HG3, HG4, HG5, HG6, HG7, HG8, HG9 and HG10 were optimized on basis of different optimization parameters such as structure, pH, spreadability, grittiness and homogeneity. Structure of hydrogels was determined by optical microscope. pH of the formulation was determined by digitalpH meter and was found to be 6.81±0.5. It was observedon the basis of skin pH range 6.81 to 6.89. Formulation HG4 has optimum pH range. Spreadability of the formulation was determined by wooden block and glass slide apparatus. Formulation HG4 has good spreadability. Grittiness and homogeneity of the formulation was determined by visual inspection. HG4 has a transparent morphology and free from gritty particles. Viscosity of formulation was determined by Brookfield viscometer. The hydrogelwere rotated at 0.3, 0.6 and 1.5 rotation per minute (RPM). The optimum range for hydrogel viscosities are 4000- 5000 cps. Formulation HG4 has optimum viscosity range. The optimized hydrogel HG4 was evaluated for drug entrapment and drug release studies. Drugentrapment was estimated spectrophotometrically. Formulation HG4 has higher drug entrapment. In- vitro drug release studies were performed using diffusion cell apparatus and samples were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Formulation HG4 shows better drug release than other formulations.The antifungalstudy was done using the agar well diffusion method and zone of inhibition was determined. In the present study zone of inhibition of the optimized formulation is equivalent to marketed formulation.