Gellified Emulsion of Ofloxacin for Transdermal Drug Delivery System

Purpose: Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone with broadspectrum antibacterial action, used in treatment of systemic and local infections. Ofloxacin is BCS class II drug having low solubility, high permeability with short halflife. The present work was aimed to design, develop and optimize gellified emulsion of Ofloxacin to provide site targeted drug delivery. Transdermal drug delivery will enhance the bioavailability of the drug giving controlled drug release. Methods: Transdermal drug delivery system was designed with gelling agent (Carbopol 940 and HPMC K100M), oil phase (oleic acid) and emulsifying agent (Tween 80: Span 80). Effect of concentration of gelling agent on release of drug from transdermal delivery was studied by 32 factorial design. Emulgel was evaluated for physical appearance, pH, drug content, viscosity, spreadability, antimicrobial activity, in vitro diffusion study and exvivo diffusion study. Results: FESEM study of the emulsion batch B5 has revealed formation of emulsion globules of approximately size 68 µm with 11.2 mV zeta potential showing good stability for the emulsion. Carbopol 940 had shown greater linear effect on drug release and viscosity of the formulations due to its high degree of gelling. Invitro diffusion study through egg membrane had shown 88.58±1.82 % drug release for optimized batch F4. Exvivo diffusion study through goat skin indicated 76.68 ± 2.52% drug release. Conclusion: Controlled release Ofloxacin emulgel exhibiting good invitro and exvivo drug release proving good antimicrobial property was formulated.