Abstract
The main objective of the present work was to develop and evaluate a mucoadhesive in-situ based gel for the vaginal delivery of Fluconazole (FLZ). The formulation was developed using the cold method and evaluated for various physicodynamic and aesthetic properties. The gelling agents used were evaluated for their potential to gel FLZ without affecting its structure. The bioadhesive potential and antifungal activity of the FLZ in-situ gel was determined in comparison to the marketed antifungal topical cream, FLUCOS®. The drug content varied from 95.3 to 98.01% and pH values were found to be slightly acidic (4.2–4.5), as normal for the vaginal milieu. The FLZ in-situ gel showed significantly higher in-vitro bioadhesion of 0.277 and antifungal activity as compared to the marketed formulation with a bioadhesion of 0.281, and did not show any signs of vaginal irritation. Thus, it can be concluded that the developed intravaginal in-situ gel formulation can be used for effective targeted treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in comparison to FLUCOS® with better mucoadhesion, drug release, permeability and drug retention characteristics with more acceptable patient compliance.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh for their skillfull assistance and for providing study facility in this study. Authors would like to acknowledge Microbiology Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh for their support rendered during this project.
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Sarwal, A., Singh, G., Singh, S. et al. Novel and effectual delivery of an antifungal agent for the treatment of persistent vulvovaginal candidiasis. J. Pharm. Investig. 49, 135–147 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-018-0395-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-018-0395-3