Abstract

AN OVERVIEW ON FORMULATION AND EVALUATION STUDIES OF ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL GELS FOR ANTI-VIRAL ACTIVITY

*Akash Patel, Vandana Sahani and Dr. Shivanand Patil

ABSTRACT

The present study describes a study on “Formulation and Evaluation studies of Acyclovir topical gels for Antiviral activity” Acyclovir can be used as a broad spectrum medicament against Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella Zoster Virus, which is particular to viral-infected cells with low toxicity and which is a smaller amount toxic than earlier generation of antiviral agents and represents a serious therapeutic advance. This drug was selected for the study because it's good percutaneous absorption and appears to be more active as antiviral activity and is well tolerated. The polymers namely Carbopol-934, Carbopol-940, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose were used for formulation of gels and studied for drug release from the gel formulations. It's evidence from the IR spectrum that each one the polymers employed in the gel formulations were compatible with the drug Acyclovir. Different formulations of ] Acyclovir were prepared by using Carbopol-934, Carbopol-940, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose in varying proportions. Carbopol gels were transparent, non-greasy and smooth on application. Sodium CMC and HPMC gels were opaque, non-greasy and sticking on application. The gel was prepared using 1%Carbopol-934 has maximum drug content (101.72%) than the others. The pH of the formulations ranged from 6.8 to 7.2 and viscosity is from 36,000 to 51,000cps. Extrudability of carbopol and HPMC gels were excellent than the SodiumCMC gel. The spreadability data shown that the formulation with 1%Carbopol- 934 has the very best value (8cm), where because the others have significant values. In vitro release studies of the formulations were dispensed across the cellophane membrane employing a diffusion cell. The discharge was highest for the formulation A2 (1%Carbopol-934) and on the addition of DMSO as a permeation enhancer the drug release was improved. The formulation B2, C3 and D2 even have significant percentage release and on addition of DMSO as a permeation enhancer the drug release from gel formulation was improved. Hence supported the above results, out of 13 formulations A2 was chosen because the best formulation. Stability studies were meted out by placing the gels in collapsible tube at 4- 50c, temperature and 37±50C for 3 months and also analyzed for various physical and chemical parameters. The result indicates that the prepared gel was both stable physically and chemically in the least storage conditions.

Keywords: Acyclovir Topical gel, Carbopol-934, Carbopol-940, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, SodiumCMC and HPMC.