Impact factor: 3.958/ICV: 4.

10 ISSN: 0976-7908 238

Pharma Science Monitor 8(1), Jan-Mar 2017

PHARMA SCIENCE MONITOR

AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Journal home page: http://www.pharmasm.com

REVIEW ON EMULGEL FORMULATIONS WITH NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-

INFLAMMATORY DRUGS FOR TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION
K.Gopalasatheeskumar1*, S.Komala2, R.Soundarya1, S.Parthiban1, B.Divya Bharathi2, S.Elango2.
1*
KMCH college of Pharmacy, Kovai Estate , Kalapatti Road, Coimbatore-641048, Tamil Nadu, India.
2
Jaya College of Paramedical sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thiruninravur, Chennai 602024 Tamilnadu, India.

ABSTRACT
The review was carried out to discuss in detail about theemulgel formulations for the non
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In emulgel is a novel dosage form for topical delivery of
various drugs. It is applying into the skin as semisolid preparation and it contact with the
epidermis of skin. The mainadvantage of using topical delivery isbypass the first pass
metabolism, shelf medicated, improve patient compliance, more selective to a specific site,
incorporation of hydrophobic drugs, better loading capacity, enhanced stability, production
probability and low preparation cost and Controlled release in comparison to other drugdelivery
systems. The formation of emulgel depends on oil phase, aqueous phase, emulsifiers, polymers
and the permeation enhancers used in the formulations. The review was focused on types,
advantages, disadvantages of emulgel, constituents, preparation method and various
characterization studies of emulgels, mechanism of NSAIDs, various marketed NSAIDs emulgel
formulations and current research on NSAIDs emulgel.
KEYWORDS: Emulgel, NSAIDs, Topical route, Carbopol, Extrudability Study.

INTRODUCTION
Emulgels are the one of the emulsions, any of the oil-in-water or water in oil type, which is
gelled by intercourse with a gelling agent. Emulsified gel is stable one and superior vehicle for
hydrophobic or poorly water soluble drugs. In short emulgels are the combination of emulsion
and gel. Many advantages of gels a main limitation is in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs.[1,2,3]
So to overcome this limitation an emulsion based methodis used, so that even a hydrophobic
therapeutic moiety can appreciate the unique properties of gels. In modern years, there has been
great importance in the usage of novel polymers which can function as emulsifiers and
thickeners because the gelling capability of these compounds consents the formulation of stable
emulsions and creams by decreasing surface and interfacial tension and at the same time
increasing the viscosity of the aqueous phase. In fact, the presence of a gelling agent in the water
phasechanges the classical emulsion into an emulgel.Emulgels for dermatological use have
somefavorable characteristics such as being thixotropic, greaseless, easily spreadable, easily

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removable, emollient, non-staining, water-soluble, greater shelf life, bio-friendly, clear &
pleasant appearance.Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are the most popular and most
widely used drugs for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and are the choice of drugs for the
treatment of various types of arthritis. They are Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2)inhibitor with inhibits
prostaglandin synthesis liablefor inflammation. Majority of NSAIDs are administered orally and
due to the adverse effects associated with the orally administered NSAIDs, such as gastric and
duodenal irritation. Therefore, by the use of emulgels as topical delivery system for the delivery
of NSAIDs, several other toxicities such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea caused to the high
concentration of NSAIDs in the alimentary canal can also be avoided.[4,5]The use of NSAIDs
topically prevents dose related adverse effects of such as acute renal insufficiency and
prostaglandin inhibition.[6,21] Numerous other advantages of topically administered NSAIDs
include higher concentration at the desired site that blood levels, increased permeation of drugs
through the stratum corneum, absence of gastricdegradation and hepatic first pass effect and
lastly as it isadministered topically it does not require any professional supervision and nor does
it have the stigma associated needles as compared to parental dosage form. Therefore
theemulgelsserves as an ideal delivery system for the delivery of NSAIDs.
Topical Route of administration
Topical routestates to external application of the drug to the surface for local action.[7]It is often
more suitableto the patient. Drugs can be efficiently delivered to the localized cuts on skin,
oropharyngeal/ nasal mucosa, eyes, ear canal, anal canal or vagina in the form of lotion,
ointment, cream, powder, rinse, paints, drops, spray, lozengens, suppositories or pesseries. The
emulgel formulations are administrated through the topical route.
Types of emulgels
Macroemulsions gel
These are most common type of emulgels in which the particle size of droplets of emulsion is
more than 400nm. They are visually opaque but the individual droplets can be easily observed in
microscope.
Microemulsion
Micro-emulsions are transparent and thermodynamically stable as their droplet size range from
100 to 400 nm and they do not coalesce. Micro-emulsions are the composed of oil, surfactant,
co-surfactant and water in particular ratios.
Nanoemulgel

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When Nano-emulsions are the incorporated into gel it is called as Nano-emulgel.[8]Nano-

emulsions are thermodynamically stable transparent dispersions of oil and water stabilized by an
interfacial film of surfactant and co-surfactant molecules having a globule size of less than 100
nm. Nano-emulsion formulations possess developedtransdermal and dermal delivery properties
in vitro as well as in vivo. Nano-emulsions have improved transdermal permeation of many
drugs over the conventional topical formulations such as emulsions and gels
ADVANTAGES
Bypass the first pass metabolism
Shelf medicated
Improved patient compliance
More selective to a specific site.
Incorporation of hydrophobic drugs[19]
Better loading capacity
Enhanced stability
Production probability and low preparation cost
Controlled release
No intensive sonication
Disadvantages of emulgel
Poor absorption of large particle size through the skin
Some drugs have poor permeability through skin[16]
Skin irritation or allergic reaction mayoccur
During formation of emulgel bubbles may occur
CONSTITUENTS USED IN EMULGEL PREPARATION
Active pharmaceutical ingredients
Active pharmaceutical ingredients are the main action produced agents in the emulgel
formulations, the generally used active pharmaceutical ingredients are NSAIDs, antibiotics,
antifungal agents, antimicrobial agents, antiseptics, etc.
Aqueous Materials
This forms the aqueous phase of the emulsion. Commonly used agents are water, alcohols.
Oils
These are the agents forms the oily phase in the emulsion. For externally applied emulsions,
mineral oils, either only or combined with soft or hard paraffins, are widely used both as the
vehicle for the drug and for their occlusive and sensory characteristics.[31] Widely used oils in

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oral preparations are non-biodegradable mineral and castor oils that provide a local laxative
effect, and fish liver oils or various fixed oils of vegetable origin (e.g., arachis, cottonseed, and
maize oils) as nutritional supplements.
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers are used both to promote emulsification at the time of manufacture and to control
stability during a shelf life for commercial preparations. e.g. polyethylene glycol 40 stearate,
sorbitan mono-oleate, Polyoxyethylenesorbitan mono-oleate, stearic acid and sodium stearate.
Gelling Agent
These are the agents used to increase the consistency of any dosage form can also be used as
thickening agent.Carbopol- 934,Carbopol- 940, HPMCK4M, HPMC are the commonly use
gelling polymers in the formulation of emulgel.
Preservatives
Preservatives are the used for inhibit the growth of micro-organism and which is added to
emulgel to avoid spoilage of the formulation from micro-organism.
E.g. Propyl paraben, methyl paraben, Benzalkonium chloride, Benzoic acid, Benzyl alcohol etc
Antioxidants
The antioxidants are the used for the emulgels to enhance the stability of therapeutic agents.
E.g. BHA, BHT, etc.,
Humectants
The humectant is used for the maintenance of the moist in the emulgel formulations. Glycerin,
Propylene glycol are the commonly used humectants.
Permeation enhancer
These are agents that partition into and interact with skin constituents to induce a temporary and
reversible increase in skin permeability.[32] In order to promote absorption of drugs thorough skin
barrier, vehicles often include penetration improving ingredients which temporarily disrupts the
highly ordered structure of stratum corneum skin barrier, fluidize the lipid channels between
corneocytes, modify the partitioning of the drug into skin structures, andincrease delivery into
skin. E.g. Oleic Acid, lecithin, Isopropyl Myristate, Urea, Eucalyptus oil, Chenopodium oil,
Pyrrolidone, Laurocapran, Dimethyl Sulphoxide, Linoelic acid, Menthol etc.
Properties of Permeation enhancers
The Permeation enhancersmust be non-toxic, non-irritating and non- allergenic.[33]
They would ideally work rapidly, and the activity and duration of effect should be both
predictable and reproducible.

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They should have no pharmacological activity inside the body i.e. should not bind to
receptor sites.
The Permeation enhancers should work unidirectional i.e. should allow therapeutic agents
into the body at the same time asavoids loss of endogenous material from the body.
They should be suitable for formulation into different topical preparations, thus should be
companionable with both excipients and drugs.[20]
The Permeation enhancershould be cosmetically acceptable with an appropriate skin
feel.
EMULGEL PREPARATION

FIGURE 1: PREPARATION OF EMULGEL

STEP1: Formulation of Emulsion either O/W or W/O
STEP2: Formulation of gel base
STEP3: Incorporation of emulsion into gel base with continuous stirring
Characterization Study of Emulgels
Physical Examination
Emulgel can be tested for their visual appearance, uniformity, grittiness and phase separation.
The formulations can be tested for their homogeneousness by opticalform after the emulgel was
applied as a thin layer on the slide
Rheological Studies
The rheological properties of emulgelsaredetermined by using cone and plate Brookfield
viscometer.[18]
Measurement of pH

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The pH of all the emulgels are determined by using digital pH meter. 1gm of gel was dissolved
in 100mL of distilled water and it was positioned for two hours.[17] The measurement of pH of
each formulation was done in triplicate and average values were noted.
Spreading coefficient
Spreading coefficient was determined by using the apparatus. It is consist of a wooden block,
which is attached to a pulley at one end. Spreading coefficient was measured on the basis of
slip and drag characteristics of emulgel.[22] A ground slide was permanent on the wooden
block. An additional of emulgel under the study was placed on this ground slide.
Emulgelformulationwas then crammed between this slide and second glass slide having same
dimension as that of the permanent ground slide. The second glass slide is provided with the
hook. Weight of 1 kg was placed on the top of the two slides for 5 min to expel air and to
provide a uniform film of emulgel between the two slides. Measured quantity of weight was
located in the pan attached to the pulley by using hook. The time (in sec) required by the top
slide to travel the fixed distance was noted. A shorter interval indicates improved Spreading
coefficient which is calculated by using the following formula:

S=
Where, M = weight tied to upper slide.
L = length of glass slides/distance of travel.
T = time to travel a fixed distance.
Swelling Index
Emulgels of known weight (1 gram) was coveredbyAluminium Foil (punctured with a pin to
make holes) and located in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for 6 hours. After 6 hours, the gels were
scrapped and the wet weight of the swollen gel was determined by first blotting the gels with
filter paper to eliminate absorbed water on surface and now it was immediately balanced on an
electronic balance.[26] The weight of the swollen gels was measured byusing an electronic
balance.
The swelling index of was calculated by using the following formula,

Sw =

Where,
Sw = Percentage of swelling of Emulgel
Wt = The weight (g) of the gels at time t
Wo = Initial weight (g) of the Emulgel

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Effect of temperature:
Effect of temperature was studied by maintaining the optimized batch at room temperature for 3
months. After storage, the emulgels were tested after every one month for their physical
appearance, pH, viscosity and drug content.[29] Freeze thaw study was also carried out at -20C
and 40C for 7 days. The emulgels are tested for physical appearance, pH, and drug content after
7 days.
Extrudability Study of Emulgel (Tube Test)
Extrudability Study is a usual experimental test for measure the force required to extrude the
material from tube. The method applied for measurement of applied shear in the section of the
rheogramcorresponding to a shear rate exceeding the yield value and exhibiting consequent plug
flow. In the current study, the method was adopted for evaluatingtheemulgel formulation for
extrudability is based upon the amount in percentage of emulgel and emulgel extruded from
lacquered aluminum collapsible tube on application of weight in grams required toextrude at
least0.5 cm ribbon of emulgel in 10 seconds. More quantity extruded better is extrudability. The
determination of extrudability of every formulation is in triplicate and the average values are
existed. The extrudabilityis now calculated by using the following formula:
Extrudability = Applied weight to extrude emulgel from tube (in g) / Area (in cm2).
Drug Content Determination
Drug concentration in emulgel was measured by using UV spectrophotometer. Drug content in
emulgel was measured by dissolving Known amount of emulgel in solventby Sonication.
Absorbance was measured after proper dilution in UV/VIS spectrophotometer.
Globule size and zeta potential
Globule Size and Zeta Potential of emulsions wasdetermined byusingZetatrac. Zetatrac
determinestheZeta Potential by determining the response of charged particles to an electric
field.[30]
Syneresis measurement
Upon standing sometimes gel system shrinks a bit and little liquid is pressed out. This
phenomenon is known as syneresis.[28] In this test, emulgels are put in cylindrical plastic tube
with a punctured bottom which is enclosed with filter paper (whatmann No. 4). These tubes are
then located in centrifuge tubes and centrifuged for 15 min. the cylindrical plastic tube and liquid
which had separated from emulgel is weighed. The percentage of syneresis is then calculated as
the ratio of weight of liquid separated from the emulgel to the total weight of emulgelin advance

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centrifugation and multiplied by 100. The data was reported as the average of five
measurements.
ExvivoBioadhesive Strength
The altered method is used for the determination of bio adhesive strength. The fresh skin is cut
into pieces and washed with 0.1 N NaOH. Two pieces of skin were tied to the two glass slide
separately from that one glass slide is fixed on the wooden piece and other piece is tied with the
balance on right hand side.[27] The right and left pans were balanced by adding extra weight on
the left-hand pan. 1 gm. ofemulgel is placed between these two slides containing hairless skin
pieces, and extra weight from the left pan is removed to sandwich the two pieces of skin and
some pressure is applied to remove the presence of air. The balance is kept in this position for 5
minutes. Weight is added slowly at 200 mg/ min to the left-hand pan till the patch disconnected
from the skin surface. The weight required to disconnect the emulgelfrom the skin surface gave
the measure of bio adhesive strength. The bio adhesive strength is calculated by using the
following formula
Bio adhesive Strength = Weight required (in gm.)/A
In Vitro Release/Permeation Studies
Franz diffusion cell (with effective diffusion area 3.14cm and 15.5ml cell volume) was used for
the study of drug release.Emulgel (200mg) was applied on the surface of the egg membrane .The
egg membrane was clamped between donor and receptor compartmentof diffusion cell.[24] The
receptor compartment was filled with freshly prepared PBS (pH 5.5) solution to solubilize the
drug. The receptor compartment was agitated by magnetic stirrer. The samples (1.01ml aliquots)
were collected at appropriate timeinterval sample was analyzed for drugcontent by UV visible
spectrophotometer after suitable dilutions. Cumulative alterations were made to get the total
quantity of drug release at each time interval. The cumulative quantityof drug release through the
egg membrane was determined as a function of time.
Skin Irritation Test
The Skin Irritation Test was done in the mice. Application of Emulgel and observed for 24 hrs.
Formulation did not specify any indications of skin irritation such as redness of skin or any
change in morphology of skin. Thus, it may be decided that formulation does not have any skin
irritation potential and later safe for topical application.
Microbiological Assay
Ditch plate technique was used for microbiological assay. It is a technique used for evaluation of
bacteriostatic or fungi-staticactions of the compound. It is mostly applied for semisolid

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formulations.Previously prepared Sabourauds agar dried plates are used. Three grams of the
emulgels are placed in a ditch cut in the plate. Freshly prepared culture loops are streaked
through the agar at a rightangle from the ditch to the edge of the plate.[25] After incubation for 18
to 24 hours at 25C, the fungal evolutionwas observed and the percentage inhibition was
measured by using following formula
Percentage Inhibition = 100

Where,
L1 = Total length of the streaked culture, and
L2 =Length of inhibition.
Stability Studies
The prepared emulgel formulations was stored away from light in collapsible tube at 252C,
402C and 42C for three months. After storage, the samples are tested for its physical
appearance, pH, rheological behavior, drug release, skin irritation test and microbiological
assay.[23]
NON-STEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS)
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the treatment of
minorpain and for the management of edema and tissue damage resulting from inflammatory
joint disease (arthritis). Theamounts of these drugs arehave antipyretic activity in addition to
having analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions, and thus have effectiveness in the treatment of
fever. Most of these drugs express their therapeutic actions by inhibition of prostaglandin
biosynthesis as described in the units that follow. Some of the primary suggestions for NSAID
therapy includingthe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Osteoarthritis (OA), Acute gouty arthritis,
ankylosing spondylitis, Dysmenorrhea.
NSAID Mechanism of Action

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FIGURE 2: MECHANISM OF NSAIDS DRUGS

The main mechanism of NSAIDs and its therapeutic actions (antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-
inflammatory activities) are inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) production. ParticularlyNSAIDs
competitively inhibits cyclooxygenases (COXs), the enzymes that catalyze the formation of
cyclic endoperoxides from arachidonic acid to form prostaglandins.Two COX iso-enzymes
areidentified, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1, expressed constitutively, is synthesized continuously
and is existent in all tissues and cell types, most particularly in platelets, endothelial cells, the GI
tract, renal microvasculature, glomerulus, and collecting ducts. Thus COX-1 is significant for the
production of prostaglandins of homeostatic maintenance, such as platelet aggregation, the
instructionof blood flow in the kidney and stomach, and the regulation of gastric acid secretion.
Inhibition of COX-1 activity is considered a maindonor to NSAID GI toxicity. COX-2 is
considered an inducible isoenzyme, thoughthere is some constitutive expression in the kidney,
brain, bone, female reproductive system,neoplasias, and GI tract. The COX-2 isoenzymeacts an
important role in pain and inflammatory processes.Commonly, the NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1
and COX-2. Most NSAIDs are mainly COX-1 selective (eg, aspirin, ketoprofen, indomethacin,
piroxicam, sulindac). Others are considered slightly selective for COX-1 (eg, ibuprofen,
naproxen, diclofenac) and others may be considered slightly selective for COX-2 (eg, etodolac,
nabumetone, and meloxicam). The mechanism of action of celecoxib and rofecoxib is mainly
selective inhibition of COX-2; at therapeutic concentrations, the COX-1 isoenzyme is not
inhibited therefore GI toxicity may be reduced.Other mechanisms that may contribute to NSAID
anti-inflammatory actions includes the reduction of superoxide radicals, stimulation of apoptosis,
inhibition of adhesion molecule expression, reduction of nitric oxide synthase, decreases the
pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, alteration of lymphocyte activity, and modification of cellular
membrane functions.

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EMULGEL FORMULATIONS FOR NSAIDS

Marketed Emulgel formulations forNSAIDs Drugs
The some of the NSAIDs are available in the market. Some of the marketed products are given in
the table.1
TABLE 1: MARKETED EMULGEL FORMULATIONS FOR NSAIDS
s.no Product Content manufacturer
Community Pharmacy
1 Coolnac Gel emulgel Diclofenacdiethylammonium Public Co Ltd
2 Voltaren Diclofenacdiethylammonium Novartis Pharma
3 IsofenEmulgel Ibuprofen Beitjala Pharma
4 VoltarolEmulgel P Diclofenacdiethylammonium and GlaxoSmithKlinePharma
diclofenac sodium
5 Volini GEL Diclofenacdiethylamine Ranbaxy Laboratories
6 DICLON EMULGEL Diclofenacdiethylamine and Medpharma
Diclofenac sodium

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FIGURE 3-8: MARKETED EMULGEL FORMULATIONS

Current research in formulation of Emulgel for NSAIDs[1-14]
Some of the emulgel formulations of the NSAIDs are formulated by the researchers. The
formulations are the mainly can be contains the oil phase and aqueous phase and the polymers.
The oil phase and the liquid phase are the used for the formulation by the using of emulsifiers,
and the polymers used in the emulgel preparations are the gelling agents, which is used for the
thickening of the medium and emulgel formation.The oil phase, aqueous phase and polymer used
in the formulation of emulgels by the researchers are given in the table.2
TABLE 2: CURRENT RESEARCH ON NSAIDS EMULGEL
S.no Active
Pharmaceutical Oil phase Aqueous phase Polymers Researchers
Ingredient
Liquid Methyl cellulose, Kumar
1 Piroxicam paraffin Purified water Polyethylene BandhuLathiya
glycol reet al.
2 Piroxicam Ginger oil, Double distilled Carbopol934, Shokri J et al.
Peppermint oil water Propylene glycol
Propyl Carbopol 940, HayderKadhim
3 Piroxicam paraben Water Propylene glycol Draiset al.
Propyl
paraben, Carbopol 934,
4 Piroxicam Methyl Purified water. Xanthan gum, Dignesh M.
paraben, HPMCK15M Khuntet al.
Mentha oil
Light liquid Ethanol, Carbopol 934,

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5 Meloxicam paraffin, Purified water HPMC. Wesley Zet al.

Cetyl Alcohol
6 Meloxicam Castor oil, Water Carbopol981NF
sunflower oil, Carbopol 974NF ArtiPednekaret
olive oil and al.
oleic acid
7 Ketoprofen Liquid Purified water HPMC, Khaled M
paraffin HPC Hosnyet al.
Light liquid Purified water Carbopol-934, RamakanthAm
8 Ketoprofen paraffin HPMC-K4M, bala et al.
HPMCK15M
carbopol-940,
CMC,
9 Ketoprofen Light liquid Purified water Carbopol+ HibaHarshanet
paraffin HPMC, al
CMC+HPMC
Distilled KrishnaveniMa
10 Ketoprofen Sunflower Water, Sodium alginate nuboluet al.
Oil Alcohol
11 Ketoprofen Liquid Purified water Carbopol 940 PetyaPenevaet
paraffin al.
Carbopol-934,
12 Naproxen Light liquid Purified water HPMC, Shokriet al.
paraffin Pluronic F127
Liquid
13 Mefenamic paraffin Purified water Carbopol940 Khalid Wet al.
acid peppermint oil
14 Aceclofenac Liquid purified water carbopol 934 Archana GLet
Paraffin carbopol 940 al.
carbopol 980

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CONCLUSIONS
Emulgels are the formulated by mixing of emulsion with the jellifying agents (polymers). The
NSAIDs drugs are the having the advantages of administration of topical route in the form of
Emulgel. In this review concluded that the emulgel formulations are the more advanced
formulations used for the NSAIDs drugs.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
K.Gopalasatheeskumar is thankful to T.Manimaran, T.Boopathi, V.SanishDevan, M.Sanjay,
A.Jeevanantham, M.ThangaKokila, G.Sangeethaand R.Ramakrishnan. Who has helped me to
collect fine details on this topic is presented in this Work.And I expressed thanks to my mother
and sisters for our sincere support.
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