Emulgel as a topical drug delivery system

Abstract

Topical drug delivery systems have been used for centuries for the treatment of local skin disorders. One side the topical applications of the drug offer the potential advantages of delivering the drug directly to the site of action and delivering the drug for extended period of time at the effected site that mainly acts at the related regions. Many advantages of gels a major limitation is in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. So to overcome this limitation an emulsion based approach is being used so that even a hydrophobic therapeutic moiety can enjoy the unique properties of gels. When gel and emulsion are used in combined form the dosage form are referred as emulgel A unique aspect of dermatological pharmacology is the direct accessibility of the skin as a target organ for diagnosis and treatment. The combination of hydrophilic cornified cells in hydrophobic intercellular material provides a bar- rier to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances. The emulgel for dermatological use has several favourable properties such as being thixotropic, greaseless, easily spreadable, easily removable, emollient, non-staining, wa- ter-soluble, longer shelf-life, bio-friendly, transparent & pleasing appearance. Various penetration enhancers can potentiate the effect. So this can be used as better topical drug delivery systems over present conventional sys- tems available in market.