Preparation of hydrogels of griseofulvin for dermal application

In an attempt to prepare topical formulations of griseofulvin that can deliver the drug locally in effective concentration, various hydrogel formulations were prepared using carbomer (940 NF) as base; essential oils, propylene glycol (PG), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as penetration enhancers. The in vitro skin permeation studies through Laca mouse skin were performed using vertical type cells. PG in the hydrogel formulation was found to influence drug release rate by increasing its solubility and partitioning. Further combinations of PG with varying amounts of NMP in the hydrogel formulations exhibited a significantly greater increase in the flux on comparison with the control and formulation containing PG alone. The diffusion samples obtained by in vitro permeation studies through mouse skin when subjected to microbioassay using Microsporum gypseum as tester microorganism exhibited antifungal activity. This indicates that the drug permeated through the mouse skin possess sufficient antifungal activity in vitro against the tested microorganism. The prepared hydrogels did not show any skin sensitization and histological studies were carried out to check the safety of permeation enhancers used. Further these formulations were found to be stable at three different temperatures 4, 25 and 40 degrees C with respect to percent drug content, release characteristics, pH, transparency, feel and viscosity.