FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS EMULGEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS

Santosh V. Gandhi*, Nikita M. Nilgar and Mangesh R. Bhalekar

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present research work was to investigate the potential of emulgel in enhancing the topical delivery of phytocontituents rutin and quercetin. Emulgel formulations of phytoconstituents were prepared using gelling agent Carbopol 934. The influence of the gelling agent, the concentration of the oil phase and emulsifying agent on the drug diffusion from the prepared emulgel was investigated using a 32 factorial design. The factors chosen were the concentration of glyceryl caprylate (GC) and the ratio of surfactants as Span 80: tween 80. The prepared formulations were evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, drug diffusion, globule diameter, drug content and skin irritancy test. The optimized batch showed acceptable globule diameter (218.6 nm), spreadability (41.9 g), viscosity (7850 cps), drug content for rutin and quercetin (98.8% and 101.8%) and pH (6.7). The in-vitro drug diffusion and ex-vivo permeation were found to be higher for optimized formulation as compared to the saturated solutions of pure drugs. The result of studied emulgel reveled that the invitro flux value of optimized batchwas found 0.2316 mg/hr/cm2 (rutin) and 0.2457mg/hr/cm2 (quercetin) respectively. It was observed from ex-vivo permeation studies that the flux for optimized emulgel was found to be 0.5367 and 0.5297 mg/hr/cm2 respectively as compared to the saturated solutions of rutin (0.1035mg/hr/cm2) and quercetin (0.1264mg/hr/cm2). While result of skin irritation test shows no edema and erythema on the skin of the rabbits. In general conclusion, it was suggested that the emulgel formulation succeed the drug release for sustained drug delivery in a controlled manner in comparison.

Keywords: Rutin, Quercetin, Emulgel, Varicose veins, Exvivo permeation.