HIMANSHI TANWAR*, MANU SHARMA AND MUNISH AHUJA
Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali-304 022 (Rajasthan), India
*(e-mail: tanwarhimanshi@gmail.com; Mobile: 99961 50219)
(Received: September 25, 2023; Accepted: November 3, 2023)
ABSTRACT
Oral antifungal medications are the most commonly used treatment for fungal infections, but these have severe side effects. To address these side effects, transungual delivery systems have been introduced. The objective of the present study was to formulate the gel of berberine chloride using Poloxamer as the gelling agent. Various gel formulations were prepared with different concentrations, using mercaptoethanol as a permeation enhancer. These formulations were assessed using different parameters, including spreadability, Fourier Transmission Infrared Radiations, Scanning electron microscopy, x-Ray diffraction, antifungal activity against Candida albicans and histopathology. Upon physiological evaluation, the gel exhibited a pH of approx. 5.5, adequate spreadability and met the specified requirements for adhesion and cohesiveness. The components of the gel formulation were found to be compatible with berberine chloride. The gel showed the highest zone of inhibition against C. albicans. Raman microscopy studies confirmed the uniform distribution of berberine chloride within the gel formulation. Ex vivo permeation studies of berberine chloride from the gel formulation across the bovine hoof revealed that the gels exhibited sustained release of berberine during 24 h study period. Furthermore, the gel formulations remained stable and exhibited promising properties over a 90-day period.
Key words : Poloxamer, berberine chloride, transungual delivery, formulation