Microsponge based drug delivery system of voriconazole for fungal infection: formulation development and In-vitro evaluation

Abstract

The plan behind the present research work was to develop a microsponge based dosage form for modified delivery of voriconazole prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using polymer Ethylcellulose with two factors drug-polymer ratios and surfactant concentration, these two factors influences micro particles and physical properties. The characterization techniques followed for the formed microsponges were DSC, FT-IR, SEM and particle size analysis, along with morphology, drug loading, in-vitro drug release data.  DSC and FT-IR data discloses that there were no chemical interactions between drug and polymer used. The drug-polymer ratio and surfactant concentration showed notable impact on drug content, encapsulation efficiency and particle size, SEM micrographs revealed that microsponges formed were spherical in shape with porous surface, and had 119.47 μm mean particle size. The microsponges were then loaded in carbopol gel followed by ex vivo drug deposition, primary skin irritancy study, in vivo antibacterial activity and in-vitro drug release study; which depicted that microsponges with drug-polymer ratio of 1:3 were more capable to give extended drug release of 93.79.±0.06 % at the end of 24 h, better in contrast to conventional formulation. Hence, the developed microsponge based formulation of voriconazole would be a hopeful, promising alternate to conventional therapy for the fungal treatment. Keywords: Voriconazole, Microsponge, Particle size, Entrapment efficiency,  ex vivo drug deposition primary skin irritancy