Formulation And Evaluation Of Tenoxicam Emulgel For Topical Application By Using Synthetic Polymer

Abstract

Topical drug delivery systems offer advantages such as bypassing first-pass metabolism and avoiding intravenous administration risks. Emulgels, combining the properties of emulsions and gels, have emerged as effective vehicles for delivering hydrophobic drugs. This study aims to formulate and evaluate Tenoxicam emulgel for topical application using synthetic polymers. The emulgel was prepared by incorporating Tenoxicam into an oil-in-water emulsion system, which was then mixed with a gel base. The formulations were characterized for various parameters, including particle size, zeta potential, pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, and in vitro drug release. The optimized formulation (F9) exhibited desirable properties, including good homogeneity, appropriate pH (6.90), and high drug content (90.01%). The in vitro release studies showed a sustained release pattern, with formulation F9 achieving 91.43% cumulative drug release over 8 hours. The formulation followed the Higuchi model, indicating a diffusion-controlled release mechanism. Stability studies confirmed that the optimized emulgel was stable, with no significant changes in physical appearance, drug content, or release profile over time. In conclusion, the Tenoxicam emulgel formulation developed in this study demonstrates potential as an effective topical drug delivery system, providing sustained drug release and improved patient compliance. This study highlights the advantages of using emulgels for the topical application of hydrophobic drugs, making it a promising approach for future pharmaceutical formulations