Cellulose derivatives and natural gums as gelling agents for preparation of emulgel-based dosage forms: A brief review

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 241; p. 124538
• Main Authors: Raeisi Estabragh, Mohammad Amin, Sajadi Bami, Marzieh, Dehghannoudeh, Gholamreza, Noudeh, Yasmin Dehghan, Moghimipour, Eskandar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 30.06.2023
• Subjects: analgesics; carboxymethylcellulose; drug delivery systems; Drug solubility; Emulgel; emulsions; Formulation; gels; hydrophilicity; lipophilicity; mineral oil; particle size distribution; patient compliance; permeability; Physicochemical properties; sesame oil; Stability; Stability; Drug solubility; Formulation; Emulgel; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124538

Incorporation of an emulsion onto a gel base develops a drug delivery system with improved characteristics, known as emulgel, that can envelop both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules, and therefore increase stability and penetration of topical formulations. Such a drug delivery system provides controlled drug release that has more patient compliance and higher therapeutic efficacy. Emulgel is prepared in three main stages, preparation of water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion, providing the gel base, and incorporation of prepared emulsion onto gel base with continuous stirring. Various materials such as different oils (e.g. sesame oil, balsam oil, and mineral oil), emulsifiers (e.g. Tween® and Span® as the non-ionic surfactant, polyvinyl alcohol), and gelling agents including cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in different concentrations are used in emulgel preparation. The physical properties, particle size distribution, spreadability, permeation, and drug release rate are evaluated in their development and characterization. They are used in skin disorders and other diseases such as chronic anal fisher. Also, anti-acne, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drugs have been formulated as emulgel delivery system and their effects have been studied. In this article, the subject is to review the characteristics, preparation methods, and therapeutic efficacy as well as the potential clinical use of emulgels. [Display omitted]