Formulation and evaluation of ivermectin emulgel formulations

Abstract

Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, has demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy against various skin conditions. However, it's poor skin permeability and limited stability often hinder its clinical application. Emulgel, a hybrid dosage form combining the advantages of both emulsions and gels, has emerged as a promising topical delivery system to enhance the skin permeation and stability of poorly permeable drugs. In this study, we aimed to formulate and characterize an Ivermectin emulgel to address the challenges associated with its topical delivery. The emulgel was prepared using a two-step method, involving the preparation of an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion, which was then gelled with suitable gelling agents. Different concentrations of Ivermectin, oil phase, surfactants, and gelling agents were screened to optimize the formulation for maximum drug loading and stability. The optimized Ivermectin emulgel was characterized for its physicochemical properties, including pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, and rheological behavior. The study's findings support the potential application of the emulgel in treating various skin conditions caused by parasites and infectious agents. Further, in vivo studies and clinical trials are required to validate its safety and effectiveness in a clinical setting.