FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROEMULSION CONTAINING THIOCOLCHICOSIDE FOR TOPICAL DISEASE

The study aimed to formulate and evaluate a Microemulsion system containing thiocolchicoside for effective topical delivery. The pH of the drug was found to be 6.3, which is suitable for topical application. The melting point of thiocolchicoside was determined to be 194 °C, confirming its purity. UV spectroscopy showed a λ max at 276.0 nm, and a standard calibration curve was constructed with a regression coefficient (R²) of 0.9991, indicating linearity. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups without any significant drug-excipient interaction. The prepared microemulsion appeared clear and yellow color. Particle size analysis showed an average droplet size of 41.33 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 30.4, indicating uniform size distribution. Zeta potential was found to be -20.4 mV, suggesting good physical stability. SEM analysis revealed spherical and smooth-surfaced droplets. The entrapment efficiency of the formulation was 45.52 %, demonstrating efficient drug encapsulation. In-vitro release studies indicated sustained release of the drug over 8 hours, and kinetic modeling suggested that the release followed the Higuchi model. Stability studies conducted over three months showed no significant changes in physical properties, drug content, or particle size, confirming the formulation’s stability. Overall, the micro emulsion system demonstrated promising potential for the topical delivery of thiocolchicoside.