Formulation and Evaluation of Ginger Extract Loaded Nanoemulgel for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory; in the present study the nanoemulgel of ginger extract was formulated for treating rheumatoid arthritis through topical application. The main objective of nanoemulgel formulation was to enhance the bioavailability of ginger extract through topical route and also to reduce the dose of ginger extract. First the nanoemulsion was prepared with the help of ternary phase diagram, using water titration method. The Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant) and extract were mixed together then titrated with water. The Smix was used at the ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The isopropyl myristate is used as oil, tween 80 as surfactant, ethanol as co-surfactant and water was used as aqueous phase and, 32 formulations were prepared. The particle size was found in the range of 60.32 to 230.8nm for formulations F1 to F4. The zeta potential was found between -16.6 to -24.4 and the polydispersibility index was found to be 0.687 to 0.892. Nanoemulsion was converted into nanoemulgel by using carbopol 934 as gelling agent in various concentrations. The rheological properties, spreadability, pH, thermodynamic stability and drug release were also determined. On the basis of thermodynamic stability, spreadability and drug release, the nanoemulgel F4* was considered as best formulation. Keywords: nanoemulgel, nanoemulsion, ternary phase diagram, rheumatoid arthritis, ginger extract, co-surfactan