Formulation and Characterization of Terbinafine Emulgel for Superficial Fungal Infections

Abstract

The purpose of this research work was to formulate and characterized the Terbinafine emulgel for the treatment of Superficial fungal infection and to avoid first pass metabolism of drug. Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal agent used to treat dermatophyte infections. Emulgels have emerged as one of the most interesting topical drug delivery systems as it has dual release control i.e. emulsion and gel. The formulations were optimized by incorporating varying composition of Carbapol 934, Carbapol 940, HPMC E5, HPMC E15 as gelling agents. All the excipients were tested for compatibility study with drug, which revealed that there was no physical and chemical interaction occurred. Clove oil and Peppermint oil were used as penetration enhancers. All the prepared emulgels showed satisfactory physicochemical properties like color, homogeneity, consistency, spreadability and pH value. The drug release was found to be higher for formulations F1 (82.63 ± 0.24%) and F8 (95.88 ± 0.22%). Higuchi’s model was observed as the best fitting model for all formulations. HPMC E5 and HPMC E15 based emulgel formulations showed highest drug release in comparison with corresponding CP 934 and CP 940 based formulations. It was concluded that emulgel could be a promising formulation for effective treatment of fungal infections.