• Sureshbabu J N
• Lakshmi Radhika G
• Ajay T R, Lalu Gowda V

This study focuses on the development of a topical gel formulation using microsponges entrapping clotrimazole and Beclomethasone dipropionate to enhance treatment effectiveness. Clotrimazole is known for its antifungal, local anti-infective and growth-inhibiting properties while Ethyl cellulose serves as a glucocorticoid, corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory agent. The microsponges were prepared using the Quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method with ethyl cellulose as the polymer and PEG-200 as the plasticizer. The characterization of the microsponges involved assessing production yield, entrapment efficiency, viscosity, FTIR, particle size analysis and drug diffusion from the gel base. The microsponges appeared as free-flowing white powders with production yields ranging from 41% to 80%. A higher amount of polymer resulted in decreased drug content in the microsponges and the encapsulation efficiency varied from 41.3% to 73.8%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the microsponges were porous but not uniformly spherical. The mean particle size ranged from 25.42μm to 53.43μm. FTIR and DSC studies demonstrated the compatibility of the drug and polymer during microsponge preparation. The drug release profiles of the microsponge gel formulations indicated a sustained drug release pattern when evaluated using pH 5.4 phthalate buffer. Among the formulations (F1 to F12) F6 showed promising sustained drug release of 91.92% for Clotrimazole and 90.35% for Beclomethasone dipropionate respectively. These findings suggest the potential of the developed gel formulation for improved topical drug delivery.

Clotrimazole; Beclomethasone dipropionate; Ethyl cellulose; Microsponge; Quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method

" DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF AN ANTIFUNGAL DRUG WITH CORTICOSTEROID LOADED MICROSPONGE HYDROGEL", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no.h126-h146, August-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308714.pdf

" DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF AN ANTIFUNGAL DRUG WITH CORTICOSTEROID LOADED MICROSPONGE HYDROGEL", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 8, page no. pph126-h146, August-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2308714.pdf