FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF STIMULI SENSITIVE pH TRIGGERED IN-SITU GELLING SYSTEM OF FLUCONAZOLE IN OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY

The present research finding focuses with the formulation and development of in situ gelling system of fluconazole using stimuli sensitive hydrogels. The quick elimination of the drug in the pre-corneal region thereby reducing the bioavailability of conventional ophthalmic solutions may overcome by means of in situ gel forming systems.  These are instilled as drops into the eye and undergo a sol-gel transformation in the cul-de-sac. Fluconazole is an effective antifungal agent against superficial fungal infections in the eye. Hence an effort was made to develop in situ gelling system that can be triggered by pH and for providing sustained release of fluconazole. The drug that has been loaded with polymeric carrier undergoes transition from solution to gel upon triggered by pH. The main purpose of the study was to formulate pH triggered in situ gelling system of fluconazole using carbopol and HPMC polymers in order to attain a better bioavailability, considerable increase in ocular residence time, and reduce frequent instillation, thereby improving patient compliance. Fluconazole in situ gelling system was formulated by using polymers of pH sensitive grade like polyacrylic acid (carbopol940) along with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). Carbopol solutions are less viscous and transform into firm gels upon increase in pH of the eye as it is acidic in nature and when it combines with HPMC, a well-known ocular viscosity enhancing agent. The developed formulation provided sustained release over a period of 8 hours and it was proved that the formulation was stable and safe which can be considered an alternate to the conventional eye drops.