Formulation and evaluation of Chlorhexidine gluconate

Abstract

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic effective against a wide variety of gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, facultative anaerobes, aerobes, and yeast. It is used as a topical anti-infective for skin, mucous membranes and as a preservative for eye drops. Chlorhexidine is also used as an antiseptic ingredient used in mouthwash to prevent oral plaque, oral bacteria and in treating gingivitis. Antimicrobial effect Chlorhexidine gluconate is associated with the attractions between Chlorhexidine (cation) and negatively charged bacterial cells. After Chlorhexidine is absorbed onto the organism's cell wall, it disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane and causes the leakage of intracellular components of the organisms.The present study involved the preparation of topical gel of Chlorhexidine. Gel formulations were prepared using Lutrol F-127 (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) by using cold process. For the preparation of gels weighed quantity of Lutrol F-127 was placed in the beaker. To that weighed quantity of propylene glycol and Suc-chi was added. Then mixture was kept in an ice bath having temperature ranging from 2-4 oC on magnetic stirrer. Then accurate quantity of pre-cooled distilled water was added and stirred for 30 mins. Then this dispersion was kept in a freezer overnight to remove the air bubble.Topical gel was evaluated for appearance, pH, content uniformity, drug content, spreadibility and in vitro release studies.