Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CLOTRIMAZOLE-LOADED INVASOMAL GEL FOR ENHANCED TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY

Parthiban S., Nikhilgowda Y. V.*

Abstract

Clotrimazole is a widely used broad-spectrum antifungal drug; however, its poor aqueous solubility and limited skin permeation may restrict its effective topical delivery. The present study aimed to formulate and optimize Clotrimazoleloaded invasomes for enhanced topical drug delivery using the mechanical dispersion technique. Invasomes were prepared using soya lecithin, menthol, thymol and ethanol as vesicleforming and penetration-enhancing components. Preformulation studies, including melting point determination, solubility analysis, UV spectroscopy and FTIR compatibility studies, were performed to confirm the suitability of the drug and excipients. Twenty formulations (F1–F20) were prepared and evaluated for drug content, entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, in-vitro drug release and release kinetics. Among the formulations, F7 was selected as the best formulation based on its satisfactory overall physicochemical characteristics, drug content of 94.61%, entrapment efficiency of 81.65%, favourable vesicle-size distribution and sustained drug release. The release kinetics of F7 best fitted the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² = 0.9781) with an n value of 0.3695, indicating a predominantly Fickian diffusion-controlled release mechanism. F7 was further incorporated into Carbopol 934 gel. The optimized invasomal gel exhibited satisfactory appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability and drug content, indicating its suitability for topical application. Thus, Clotrimazole-loaded invasomes, particularly F7, demonstrated promising potential as a vesicular carrier for sustained and enhanced topical drug delivery.

Keywords: Clotrimazole, Invasomes, Topical Drug Delivery, Mechanical Dispersion Technique.