Formulation optimization and evaluation of anti-inflammatory topical gel of flurbiprofen

Abstract

The present study aims to formulate, evaluate and optimize a topical gel containing flurbiprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), intended for localized treatment of inflammation and pain. Flurbiprofen's poor aqueous solubility and gastrointestinal side effects upon oral administration necessitate its incorporation into a topical delivery system to improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficiency. Gels were formulated using various gelling agents such as carbopol 934 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), along with penetration enhancers to enhance drug permeation through the skin. The prepared formulations were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, viscosity, extrudability, spreadability, drug content, Anti-Microbial Study and in vitro drug release. A 3² factorial design was employed to optimize the formulation variables and their impact on gel characteristics. The optimized formulation demonstrated desirable physicochemical properties and sustained drug release over 8 hours, with improved anti-inflammatory activity compared to the marketed formulation. This study concludes that the optimized flurbiprofen gel is a promising candidate for effective topical anti-inflammatory therapy.