Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Topical Gel of Flurbiprofen Using Natural Polymers

In this study, to formulate Sustained Release Topical Gel of Flurbiprofen were all the prepared topical gel formulations contain different drug: polymer ratio using tamarind gum for long term therapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Flurbiprofen is a second generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, which is widely used in alleviating pain and inflammation. But its short half-life (only 3-4 hr), so its causes more fluctuation. After oral administration Flurbiprofen causes to produces heart burn, nausea, loose motions, pruritus, etc. The present study based on the preparation of bioadhesive topical gel of Flurbiprofen, so as to avoid all gastric side effects. For the preparation of bioadhesive topical gel natural polymer Tamarindus indica(plant Tamarind) was used. Bioadhesive polymers are the agents which increases the contact between the formulation and biological membrane, so as to avoid the fluctuation of formulation and behave as a sustained release formulation. In the present study, prepared bioadhesive topical gel was evaluated with the help of different parameters like drug content, spreadability, extrudability, swelling index study, in-vitro drug diffusion study. On the basis of in-vitro drug diffusion study measurement property of gel, we have concluded that natural polymer Tamarindus indica the best polymer for the preparation of sustained release bioadhesive topical gel.