Abstract

A REVIEW ON MICROEMULSION BASED GEL: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY OF HYDROPHOBIC DRUG

Heta K. Patel* and Dr. Dhiren P. Shah

Abstract

In current scenario, an augmentation in topical formulations by virtue that it can be prepared by altering physicochemical properties as well as furnishing more desirable localized action. It is imperious to adhere patient to topical formulations in dealing with chronic skin diseases like Skin infections, Eczema and psoriasis. One of the modernistic technology in Novel Drug Delivery System used topically is Microemulsion based Gel carry virtue of bi-fold control release i.e. microemulsion as well as gel. For hydrophobic drugs, Microemulsion based gel has been emanated as a felicitous topical drug delivery system and demonstrated as fortune for dermal care and cosmetology. When microemulsion is included in gel, its stability is also raised. Microemulsions have been confirmed for increment in cutaneous absorption of both lipophilic and hydrophilic API’s when correlated to conventional vehicles. This versatile, thermodynamically stable, colloidal dispersion of water and oil is stabilized by surfactant and co-surfactant. It is prepared by different polymers, emulsifier and owing to the gelling capacity of these compounds give improvement to stable emulsions as surface and interfacial tension is reduced while at that moment increment in the viscosity of the aqueous phase. For dermatological treatment, microemulsion based gel has certain beneficial properties such as being thixotropic, greaseless, easily spreadable, easily removable, emollient, non-staining, water soluble, longer shelf life, bio-friendly, transparent & pleasing appearance. In present review, we discussed certain advantages of microemulsion based gel in pharmaceuticals, along with its preparation and characterization.

Keywords: Microemulsion, Gel, Topical delivery, hydrophobic drug.