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 using different gelling agent carbopol, Na CMC, HPMC (K4M) and sodium alginate in different concentration, which would attenuate the gastrointestinal relater toxicities associated with oral administration. They were evaluated for physicochemical properties 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 cellophane membrane with phosphate buffer pH 6.8 as the recept or medium. Studies showed that drug release was decrease with increase in gelling agent concentration because polymer concentration increases, viscosity increases. Drug was absorbed from site of application as long as it remains in higher concentration gelling agent in solution form.