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Recent Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research
Volume 1 Issue 2
A Review on Emulgel, as a Novel Trend in Topical Drug Delivery
System
Sanjay K Jain
1*
, Pawan Bajapi
1
, Shailendra K Modi
1
, Prashant Gupta
2
,
1
Assistant Professor,
2
Associate Professor
Daksh Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: *sanjayjain6884@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3139463
Abstract
These days, there is an upsurge in topical formulations such that it can be prepared by
varying physicochemical properties and providing better localized action. The topical
formulation is significant to patient for chronic skin diseases, like fungal infections, acne, and
psoriasis. In NDDS (Novel Drug Delivery System), Emulgel is one of the recent technology
used topically having characteristics of dual control release i.e. emulsion as well as gel.
When gels and emulsions are used in combined form the dosage form are known as emulgel.
Limitation of gels in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs through the skin. Overcome this
limitation an emulsion based approach is being used so that even a hydrophobic therapeutic
moiety can exhibit the unique properties of gels. Emulgel is prepared by different polymers
which act as an emulsifying agent and thickening agent because the gelling capacity of these
polymers give rise to stable emulsions and creams by decreasing interfacial and surface
tension while at the same time increasing the viscosity of the aqueous phase. Emulgel are
having major advantages on novel vesicular systems as well as on conventional systems
considering various aspects. The emulgel provide several favourable properties for its
dermatological use such as greaseless, thixotropic, easily spreadable, emollient, easily
removable, non-staining, water soluble, longer shelf life, transparent, bio-friendly and
pleasing appearance.
Keywords: Emulgel, Polymer, Topical drug delivery
INTRODUCTION
For topical administration skin is one of
the most readily accessible parts of human
body and molecules penetrate in the skin
mainly by three routes: through intact
stratum corneum, through sweat ducts, and
through the sebaceous follicle [1]. Topical
drug delivery is used for localized action
on the body through ophthalmic, rectal,
vaginal and skin as topical routes. The
topical drug delivery system such as
emulgel (gellified emulsion) generally
used where the other systems of drug
administration fails to directly treat
cutaneous disorders such as fungal
infections, acne, psoriasis etc. Absorption
of drug through the skin is enhanced if the
drug substance present in solution, if
lipid/water partition coefficient of drug
substances has favourable and if it is a
nonelectrolyte [2]. For the most of the
time, pharmaceutical formulation applied
to the skin are intended to serve some local
action and as such preparations are
formulated to provide prolonged local
contact with minimal systemic drug
absorption. Drug such as antiseptics,
antifungal agent, skin emollients are
applied to the skin for their local action.
Avoidance of first pass metabolism is the
main advantage of topical drug delivery
system, it also Avoid the risks and
inconveniences of intravenous therapy and
of the varied conditions of absorption like
pH changes, presence of different
enzymes, gastric emptying time are other
advantages of topical preparations. The
transparent gels use has been expanded