A Review on Emulgels as a Novel Approach for Topical Drug Delivery

Abstract

Topical drug delivery has been used for centuries for the treatment of local skin disorders. Drugs applied to the skin for their local action include antiseptics, antifungal agents, skin emollients, and protectants. Major disadvantage of gel is the delivery of hydrophobic drug. This can be overcome by emulgels. Emulgels have emerged as one of the most attractive topical delivery system as it has dual release control system i.e. gel and emulsion. Since hydrophobic drugs are not soluble in gel bases, it causes problem during the release of drug. When gel and emulsion are used in combination the dosage form is referred as emulgel. In emulgel formulation, the hydrophobic drugs could be incorporated into the oil phase and then oily globules are dispersed in aqueous phase resulting in o/w emulsion which can be mixed into the gel base. The major aim behind this formulation is delivery of hydrophobic drugs to systemic circulation via skin. A distinctive feature of topical drug delivery is the straight accessibility of the skin as a target organ for the treatment. This might be proving improved stability and release of drug than just incorporating drugs into gel base. The purpose of this review article is to exemplify emulgel for topical drug delivery, advantages and disadvantages of emulgel, physiology of skin, major components of emulgel, method of preparation, characterization and marketed products of emulgel.