The Effects of Moist Heat Sterilization Process on Rheological Properties of Hydrophilic gels containing drug model

Wound healing is a complex cascade of cellular and biochemical actions. Numerous methods, such as application of topical antimicrobial therapies and wound dressings have been reported to accelerate healing process. One important factor in all mentioned methods is the sterility of the delivery or dressing system. In this study, the effect of steam sterilization on the viscosity of polymeric gels of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, carbomer, and sodium alginate was evaluated. The results showed that carbomer (0.5%) and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (3%) had proper rheological behavior and could be used as gel bases in the rest of the study. In addition, the effect of solubility enhancers on the properties of hydrophilic gels was examined. Tween 80 (0.1 and 1%) and propylene glycol (1 and 10%) were examined as solubility enhancers. The proper gel was prepared from carbomer and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose containing 0.1 % tween 80 or 1% propylene glycol. In the next step, Atorvastatin, as a promising wound healing drug model, was added to selected bases to evaluate the rheological properties of the gel. Content uniformity of the drug in the gels was examined either. The results revealed that content uniformity maintained constant in carbomer gel after sterilization. As a result, carbomer could be a proper base to deliver drugs to affected areas after sterilization.