FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF TRANSFERSOMAL GEL OF AMPHOTERICIN B

Abstract

Fungal infections are amongst the most commonly encountered diseases affecting the skin. Treatment approaches include both topical and oral antifungal agents. The topical route is generally preferred due to the possible side effects of oral medication. Advances in the field of formulation may soon render outdated conventional products such as creams, ointments and gels. Several carrier systems loaded with antifungal drugs have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of skin fungal infections. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of transfersomal gel formulations for transdermal delivery of amphotericin B and to evaluate the effect of lipid concentration, ethanol concentration, drug concentration and stirrer time. Characterization of transfersomes was performed by vesicle size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency and stability study. Characterization of transfersomes containing gel performed by the measurement of viscosity, pH measurements, drug content, extrudability study, spreadability and in vitro drug diffusion study. It was found that viscosity of prepared gel TG-12 was 3350cps, % assay was 99.45±0.45, extrudability was 147g and spreadibility (g.cm/sec) was found that 13.25(g.cm/sec) respectively. In vitro drug release from transfersomes gel was carried out using Franz diffusion cell method and found 92.23% in 12 hr. In first 30 min it was 23.36 % drug release which slightly high. It was due to the release of free drug present in bag after leaching from transfersomes. Drug release from transferosomal gel formulation was found in very sustained and controlled manner. The prepared gel containing amphotericin B-loaded transfersomal formulation was optimized and can be use for topical preparation for its antifungal affect. The results were obtained which showed that transfersomal gel was a promising candidate for transdermal delivery with targeted and prolonged release of a drug. It also enhances skin permeation of many drugs.