TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF FLUCONAZOLE MICROSPONGES: PREPARATION AND IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION

The pivotal objective of this investigation was to formulate Fluconazole microsponge by emulsion solvent diffusion technique in order to provide sustained release. Microsponge was formulated by emulsion solvent diffusion technique with varied drug–polymer ratios. Ethyl cellulose was used as release retarding material and PVA was used as a surfactant. The prepared microsponges were characterized by SEM, FTIR, particle size analysis, and evaluated for surface morphology, drug loading, in vitro drug release as well. The formulated microsponges are spherical with a porous surface and 108.16μm of mean particle size. The microsponges were then incorporated into carbopol gel. The In vitro drug release results showed that microsponges with 1:1.5 drug–polymer ratios were more efficient to give a sustained drug release of 74.2% at the end of 8 hr. Thus the formulated microsponge-based gel of fluconazole would be a promising alternative to conventional therapy for safe and efficient treatment of fungal infections. KEY WORDS: Fluconazole, Microsponge, Ethyl cellulose, Scanning electron microscopy, particle size and in vitro drug releas