Microemulsion-based Transdermal Drug Delivery System incorporating Levofloxacin hemihydrate for skin Infections

Abstract

Due to poor bioavailability through the gastrointestinal tract, the oral delivery of drugs has been a challenge for pharmacologists. The study investigated an appropriate microemulsion system suitable for transdermal use. A microemulsion system containing tween 20/1-propanol/water/clove oil was developed for use in transdermal delivery of Levofloxacin hemihydrate. The system was investigated by constructing a pseudo-ternary phase diagram via water-titration method. The stability of water-in-oil microemulsion system was characterized by pH, refractive index measurements, UV-Vis. spectroscopy and measurement of partition coefficient and particle size. This study demonstrated that Levofloxacin hemihydrate can be successfully incorporated into a water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion system consisting of tween20 (surfactant) /1-propanol (co-surfactant) /water and clove oil. This microemulsion system can be modified for use as an ointment to treat skin infections by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as anaerobes.