European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF TACROLIMUS HYDROGEL

Sandeep Ashokrao Wathore*

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate formulation of Tacrolimus as oral hydrogel to improve the efficacy & bioavailability of Tacrolimus. Tacrolimus gel was prepared with Gellan gum and Carbopol 934P as gelling agents with polyethylene glycol as a penetration enhancer. The formulations were examined for pH, spreadability, consistency, viscosity, homogeneity, drug content and stability. In vitro drug release was evaluated using Franz diffusion cell. The viscosity of all formulation follows a pseudo-plastic flow behavior. The pH of formulation Lies in between 6.3to 7.2. The formulation F2 and F5 showed good released pattern. Tacrolimus is used in the treatment of eczema, in particular atopic dermatitis. It suppresses inflammation in a similar way to steroids, and is equally as effective as a mid-potency steroid. An important advantage of tacrolimus is that, unlike steroids, it does not cause skin thinning (atrophy), or other steroid related side effects.

Keywords: Tacrolimus, Gellan gum, antifungal, Rheology, in- vitro; Diffusion.