FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF SOYABEAN OIL- BASED CIPROFLOXACIN OLEOGELS FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION

Oleogels have gained a lot of interest as a delivery system for a variety of pharmaceuticals because they provide controlled drug release, enhance drug stability and improve bioavailability. Aim: The aim of this study was to prepare drug-loaded (Ciprofloxacin) soya oil based oleogels with Cab-o-Sil® as the gelator for possible use in treatment of minor skin abrasions and also in class I and II skin tears. Methods: The oleogels were prepared by solid fibre mechanism. The prepared oleogels were characterized for their organoleptic properties, morphological properties, rheological behavior, size and particle size distribution, time monitored pH, applicability (spreadability and extrudability), drug release and compatibility of the drug with the formulation excipients. Result: The oleogels were found to be odourless, whitish semisolid with smooth texture. The critical gelator concentration of Cab-o-sil® in soya oil was found to be 6%w/v, pH was 5.05- 5.75, particle size (≤ 269 µm ) with PDI of 0.435, spreadability (1.7- 4.4cm/s), extrudability (2.31-3.9 %). The oleogels were non-newtonian and were of pseudoplastic nature. The drug and the excipients were compatible as indicated by FTIR studies. Drug release was in the range of 18.48-30.52% after one hour for all the batches. Conclusion: The oleogel formulation provides good absorption characteristics and maintains its integrity throughout its shelf life.