Abstract

A RESEARCH ON FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROSPONGE LOADED IN TOPICAL GEL OF RITONAVIR

Neha S. Patil*, Prof. S. A. Tadavi and Dr. S. P. Pawar

ABSTRACT

Ritonavir inhibits the HIV protease enzyme by forming an inhibitor–enzyme complex thereby preventing cleavage of the gag- pol polyproteins. Present study was taken up to develop a topical formulation that releases the drug in controlled manner, reduce the side effects associated with topical drug delivery and improve product efficiency with aid of microsponges. Microsponges loaded with Ritonavir were prepared by using Emulsion solvent diffusion with nine different proportions of polymer. The developed microsponges were analyzed for particle size, production yield, entrapment efficiency and drug content. Scanning electron microscopic images of microsponges revealed that they are spherical in shape and contain pores. In vitro drug release results depicted that microsponges with third formulation were more efficient to give extended drug release of 50.32% at the end of 10 hrs. Microsponge were then incorporated in to 1% carbopol gel and evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability and diffusion study. Thus the formulated microsponges based gel of Ritonavir would be a promising alternative to conventional therapy for safer and efficient treatment of various skin disorders.

Keywords: Microsponges, Ritonavir, Carbopol 940, Topical drug delivery system, Controlled drug release, Drug content.