Bioadhesive buccal gels impregnated with fluconazole: formulation, in vitro and ex vivo characterization

This study describes the formulation of bioadhesive buccal gels for fluconazole delivery via buccal mucosa. In the present study the polymer with well-defined mucoadhesive properties like Carbopol 934 was used. Carbopol-Poloxamer gels of 1% fluconazole was formulated with various absorption enhancers like polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, phosphatidylcholine, mannitol and sodium lauryl sulphate by cold method. The gels were characterised for gelation temperature, bioadhesive force, pH, viscosity, drug release profile, ex vivo permeation across goat buccal mucosa and stability profile. The percent drug permeated through the buccal mucosa was in the range of 62-76%. Polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol were found to be better absorption enhancers as compared to others and followed zero order release kinetics.