FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TOPICAL DICLOFENAC SODIUM GEL USING DIFFERENT GELLING AGENT

The present research has been undertaken with the aim to develop a topical gel formulation of Diclofenac sodium usingdifferent gelling agent carbopol, Na CMC, HPMC (K4M) and sodium alginate in different concentration, which wouldattenuate the gastrointestinal relater toxicities associated with oral administration. They were evaluated for physicochemicalproperties such as homogeneity, grittiness, viscosity, pH, Spreadability, drug content, skin irritancy, in vitro drug release,stability studies. The in vitro drug release rate of gel was evaluated using Franz diffusion cell containing cellophanemembrane with phosphate buffer pH 6.8 as the receptor medium. Studies showed that drug release was decrease withincrease in gelling agent concentration because polymer concentration increases, viscosity increases. Drug was absorbedfrom site of application as long as it remains in higher concentration gelling agent in solution form.Keywords: Diclofenac Sodium, carbopol, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, sodium alginate anti‐inflammatory activity