Carbopol-olive oil-based bigel drug delivery system of doxycycline hyclate for the treatment of acne

Objective The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate the doxycycline hyclate containing bigel for the effective treatment of acne. Methods Bigels are biphasic systems formed by water-based hydrogels and oil-based organogel. Carbopol 940 was used to prepare the hydrogel phase, whereas Span-60 and olive oil for the oleogel phase. Results The microstructure of bigel confirmed the oil in water type emulsion formation. The average droplet size of formulations was found 15-50 mu m, and a bell-shaped droplet distribution curve, rheological, or viscosity studies suggested that the consistency and stability of bigel decrease with high organogel concentration. Three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) of the different ratios of hydrogel:oleogel (60:40, 70:30, and 80:20) were prepared in which F1 was less stable compared to F2 and F3. The drug content of F2 and F3 was respectively 79.94 and 71.33%. Formulation F2 was found more effective as compared to F3 based on in vitro drug release studies. Bigel also showed better results during in vivo studies at the rabbit ear model, which reduce acne diameter up to 1.10 mm from 4.9 mm while gel reduced it up to 1.20 mm.

Automated summary

This study aimed to prepare and evaluate a doxycycline hyclate-containing bigel for treating acne effectively. The bigel microstructure and rheological studies suggested that stability decreases with higher organogel concentration. In vitro drug release studies showed that formulation F2 was more effective compared to F3, and in vivo studies on a rabbit ear model demonstrated that the bigel reduced acne diameter significantly.