Development and Standardization of Semisolid Dosage form Using Phytoconstituent Along with Standard Drug for Vaginal Infections

Abstract

Vaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection, mainly caused due to Candida albicans. Worldwide around 70% of total women population experience an episode of vaginal candidiasis in their lifetime. This infection has an unacceptably high mortality rate due to several reasons like the immunological state of the patient, few number of commercially available drugs, delay in diagnosis and development of drug resistance. The literature states that, for complete eradication of vaginal candidiasis infection, concurrent uses of topical antifungal formulations are found more effective. However, commercially available topical vaginal dosage forms failed to meet the need due to low residence time, leakage, messiness and poor patient acceptability. newline Therefore, looking towards the demand of the situation and based on a thorough literature study, a therapeutically effective drug combinations were prepared using curcumin and standard synthetic antifungals namely fluconazole and itraconazole. Different drug combinations were prepared and among this most suitable and effective combinations were selected on the basis of in-vitro antifungal, analytical and pharmacological screening. The selected formulation was delivered by means of mucoadhesive gel formulation. The gels was prepared using different polymer like carbopol P934, carbopol 940, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and guar gum at different suitable ratios. All the prepared formulations were subjected to in-vitro and in-vivo study. The results of the evaluation studies suggest that, the formulation F21 and F29 show comparatively better performance as an effective antifungal vaginal formulation. Both the formulations were found to be stable and free from any kind of irritation and also effectively reduce the fungal growth. The drug release from the prepared formulations was found to be satisfactory. newline On the basis of obtained results, it can be concluded that the optimized phyto combinations can successfully improve the degree of therapeutic efficacy as compared single drug, even at comparatively much lesser concentration. Mucoadhesive gels were found effective as vaginal drug delivery system. This delivery system may significantly improve the retention time inside the vaginal cavity, therefore, provides enormous opportunity to improve bioavailability. The optimized formulations were found to be safe and effective. newline newline