N.K.D. Devi et al Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(4-A):183-190 ISSN: 2250-1177 [183] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Available online on 15.08.2019 at http://jddtonline.info Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research © 2011-18, publisher and licensee JDDT, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited Open Access Research Article Oleic Acid Based Emulgel for Topical Delivery of Ofloxacin A. Manaswitha, P. V. L. D. Sai Swetha, N.K.D. Devi, K. Naveen Babu, K. Ravi Shankar Department of Pharmaceutics and Biotechnology, KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada-520010 ABSTRACT The objective of the present study is to formulate and evaluate ofloxacin emulgel. Emulgel formulations of ofloxacin were prepared using different concentrations of gelling agent’s Carbopol -940 and Xanthum gum. Tween-80 and span-80 were used as emulsifiers and propylene glycol as a humectant in the preparation of emulgel. The effect of the concentration of gelling agent on the drug release from the prepared emulgel was investigated. The compatibility study was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The formulated emulgel was characterized by their physical appearance, pH determination, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, microbial test and in vitro diffusion study. FTIR indicated that the drug and excipients used in the study are compatible with each other. All the prepared formulations showed acceptable physical properties, homogeneity, consistency, spreadability, viscosity, and pH value. Drug release from all the formulations depended upon the concentration of the polymer used. As the concentration of Carbopol 940 increased the spreadability and drug release was found to be decreased. Emulgels formulated with oleic acid gave a much higher release rate of ofloxacin than emulgels formulated with liquid paraffin. The release of drug from all the emulgels prepared followed Zero-order kinetics. The linear Higuchi plots indicated that the drug release from all the emulgels prepared followed diffusion kinetics. Emulgel formulated with oleic acid exhibited greater flux when compared with those formulated with liquid paraffin. The formulations were found to be stable during stability testing. It can be concluded that Carbopol 940 and oleic acid are recommended for the formulation and preparation of Ofloxacin emulgels for topical drug delivery. Key words: Ofloxacin, Emulgel, Spreadibility, Zone of inhibition. Article Info: Received 12 July 2019; Review Completed 20 August 2019; Accepted 26 August 2019; Available online 30 Aug 2019 Cite this article as: Manaswitha A, Sai Swetha PVLD, Devi NKD, Naveen Babu K, Ravi Shankar K, Oleic Acid Based Emulgel for Topical Delivery of Ofloxacin, Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2019; 9(4-A):183-190 http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i4- A.3451 *Address for Correspondence: Dr. N. Kanaka Durga Devi, Associate Professor, KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, VIJAYAWADA 520010 INTRODUCTION Emulgels are the topical drug delivery systems that are formed by combining gels and emulsions in a suitable ratio. Gelling agents are used to converting emulsion into an emulgel 1,2. Oil-in-water systems are used to solubilize lipophilic drugs whereas water-in-oil systems are used to encapsulate hydrophilic drugs. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and hence their stability can be increased by converting into emulgel. Emulgels present several advantages like pleasant appearance, greaseless nature, easy spreadability, washable, thixotropy, emollient action, nonstaining and proponed shelf life. 3,4 Ofloxacin is fluoroquinolone with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Ofloxacin is active on both actively dividing as well as dormant bacteria. The mechanism is by inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase. Ofloxacin has a wide range of antibacterial activity for the treatment of systemic as well as a local infection. The half-life of Ofloxacin is 6-7 hrs. Ofloxacin is slightly soluble in water and methanol. It belongs to BCS class II drug with low solubility and high permeability. The objective of the present work is to formulate and evaluate ofloxacin emulgel using different concentrations of Carbopol 940 and Xanthum Gum. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ofloxacin was a gift sample from PVS Labs, Vijayawada. Carbopol 940, Oleic acid, Span 80, Tween 80 and propylene glycol 400 and other chemicals were procured from commercial sources. Drug – Excipient Compatibility Study Drug – excipient compatibility studies of Ofloxacin and formulated emulgels were determined using FTIR Spectrophotometer (BrukerATR Alpha –e, Germany) in KBr disc. 5 Preparation of Emulgel Ofloxacin emulgels were prepared as per the formula is given in Table-1. Ofloxacin (1%) was dissolved in