Development and Evaluation of Microemulsion Based Gel for Topical Application

Abstract

The Topical skin diseases like Atopic dermatitis, Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, Fungal & Microbial infections influence quality of life of people all around the world. Currently available treatments for skin diseases are topical and oral formulations of antibacterial agents, corticosteroids, anti fungal agents or anti histamine agents. As skin being least perfused tissue, bioavailability of the oral drugs is limited. Topical agents are best suitable for skin diseases due to enormous advantages like ease of application, more bioavailability at the site of action, etc. However, problems associated with currently marketed topical therapy for skin diseases are irritation at the site of application, greasy feeling with oil based formulations, inadequate effectiveness and non-adherence to the therapy. Also, small permeability restricts the amount of drugs deliverable in this way. The defects of the skin barrier in topical skin diseases result in trans epidermal water loss and increased penetration of allergens and microbes into skin. Hence, the various novel therapeutic approaches like microemulsion based gel(MBG), emollients, creams, ointment etc. have been explored by scientists for the treatment of topical skin diseases . Out of all these approaches, microemulsion based gel are quite effective in the treatment of Topical skin diseases. The microemulsion based gel are thermodynamically stable, fluid and isotropic colloidal nano carriers with dynamic microstructure that form spontaneously by suitable amount of oil, water, surfactant and co-surfactant and gelling agents.The size of droplet is normally in the range of 20-200nm. This review presents the ideal properties, merites and demerits, formulations, prepration method, evaluation, and application of MBG for topical drug delivery system. The research proved Microemulsion based gel as promising carrier for delivering drug through topical route