Factorial Design Approach To Fabricate And Optimize Posaconazole Vaginal Suppository By Using Virgin Coconut Oil

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present research work was to fabricate a drug delivery system in the form of suppository using a combination of natural coconut oil, polymers and bases with an intention to enhance the drug action and duration of drug release in vaginal cavity. This may leads to decrease the side effects of drug taken through oral route.

Results: The results of the preliminary trial batches prepared by using the hot fusion method resulting in nine different formulations showed good physicochemical characteristics and suppositories conformed to the Pharmacopoeial specifications. Posaconazole vaginal suppository containing natural oil showed prolonged drug release. The optimized formulation (F7) using 3² factorial design showed FLT 0.5±0.012%, MT48.2±0.32 (min) and DC90.11±0.24 (mg) at 12 h. The stability studies indicated the stability of the formulation during storage.

Conclusions: It was concluded that the release profile fitted best to zero-order equation with mechanism of drug release which indicates the drug action is enhanced by vaginal suppository as compared to oral route. Thus, the formulated suppositories have the potential for improved release and antifungal properties.