Formulation and Evaluation of Clotrimazole and Ketoconazole Combination Loaded Microsponge Gel for Topical Drug Delivery

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to prepare a controlled release topical gel formulation using a microsponge-based delivery system for the combination of Clotrimazole and Ketoconazole. Microsponges were fabricated employing the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique using different polymers. The prepared microsponges were systematically characterized for particle size distribution, production yield, drug entrapment efficiency, and surface morphology. The optimized microsponge formulation was incorporated into a Carbopol gel matrix and evaluated for physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and drug content uniformity. In-vitro drug release and diffusion studies revealed a sustained and controlled release pattern, attributed to the porous structure of the microsponge system. The formulation demonstrated improved retention and reduced burst release compared to conventional gel systems. These findings suggest that the developed microsponge-based gel represents a promising strategy for enhancing the topical delivery and therapeutic efficacy of antifungal agents.