DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE BASED EMULGEL FOR DRY EYE SYNDROME

Dry Eye Syndrome is a common disorder of the normal tear film that results from one of the following: decreased tear production, excessive tear evaporation, an abnormality in the production of mucus or lipids normally found in the tear layer. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a highly viscous derivative of cellulose that is used as an eye lubricant. CMC moistens the eye to prevent or relieve dry eye and irritation. Emulgels are nothing but emulsions that may be of water-in-oil or oil-in-water type, which, when blended with gelling agents, gets jellified. Emulgels are a slight viscous product that creates the strength of the product to enhance the retention on eye and improve the spreadability of the product. Castor oil and CMC based emulgel were prepared in three different phases like Polymeric Phase (CMC and Carbomer), Oil Phase (Castor oil), and Aqueous Phase (excipient phase). Process variables also identified and design space created by varies the concentration of oil, surfactant, and polymer. Different formulations designed with changes in oil concentration from 0.25% to 1%, polysorbate-80 from 0.5% to 1%, chromophore from 0.25% to 0.5% and Carbomer from 0.025% to 0.05%. Stability studies have been performed with optimized formulation F-11 at different temperature conditions and characterized physicochemical parameters like pH, Osmolality, Viscosity, Zeta potential, Globule size, Assay of CMC, Assay of preservatives and in-vitro release. An in-vitro study performed and flux values (ng/cm² / min) of released content determined and compared with marketed products in two different lot and found equivalent.