Formulation and Evaluation of Topical Proniosomal Gel of Ciclopirox for Antifungal Therapy

Objectives: The objective of existent effort was topical proniosomal gel formulation and evaluation from the proniosomes of Ciclopirox to improve poor skin penetration and residence of the topical antifungal drugs. Methods: The co-acervation phase separation method was used to prepare proniosomes by using combination of different grades of non-ionic surfactant, cholestrol and lecithin. Characterized for pH, encapsulation efficiency, Particle size, in vitro drug permeation. Selected batches were converted into topical proniosomal gel and evaluated for ex vivo permeation. Then best fitted formulation batch C5CF8 were differentiate with marketed preparation for ex vivo drug release and anti-fungal activity. Results: Proniosomal gel pH be there 5.61± 0.25 to 7.31± 0.06 and encapsulation efficiency 82.40 to 92.20% and particle size 3.20 ± 0.15 to 6.45 ± 0.20. In vitro drug release is in between 37.65 to 57.04 %. Among the formulations CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4 and CF5 were developed into carbopol topical gel as C1CF2, C2CF32, C3CF5, C4CF6 and C5CF8 and evaluated for ex vivo drug permeation. Among these optimized formulation C5CF8 showed drug permeation 59.39 ± 0.10 % at 12 hr. with a flux value of 5.24μg/ cm2 /hr., permeability coefficient of 0.262 cm2 /hr. and higher correlation coefficient R2 0.9949 for zero order drug release and hence follows zero order release kinetics. The C5F8 showed prolonged drug release and zone of inhibition value higher for carbopol gel as compared to marketed preparation. Conclusion: Developed carbopol topical gel had potential to act as controlled release drug carrier which prolonged the drug release for number of hours.