DOI: 10.21276/sajp

Pages: 281-287

Emulgels are topical dosage form in which emulsions are gelled by mixing with gelling agent. Incorporation of emulsion into gel increases stability of emulsion and provides controlled release system. Emulgels have emerged as a promising drug delivery system for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. The main objective of the present study is to prepare emulgel using capsaicin, an analgesic as drug of choice. Liquid paraffin was used as oil phase of o/w emulsion and combination of Span 80 and Tween 80 were used as emulsifying agent and clove oil was used as permeation enhancer. Polymers like carbopol 974, carbopol 930, HPMC K100, HPMC K4M and HEC are used as gelling agent in various proportions. Total of 7 formulations were prepared by changing the gelling agent and their concentration. The prepared emulgels were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability co-efficient, physical stability, drug content, skin irritation test and in-vitro drug release. All the formulations were physically stable with the pH values within the range and have shown good spreadability coefficient. There was no irritation or swelling observed in the rats during the test period. In-vitro diffusion studies were carried out using pH 7.4 phosphate buffer and formulation F1 (Carbopol 974- 1%) has shown best results with zero order release kinetics and diffusion mechanism