Design, development and in vitro evaluation of sertaconazole mucoadhesive vaginal tablet

In present study, mucoadhesive vaginal tablet of sertaconazole was designed using a combination of mucoadhesive polymers like Carbopol 934P, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, sodium alginate, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Effervescent was incorporated into formulations to enhance swellabilty of mucoadhesive tablet. For various drug-free formulations, the effect of effervescent on polymers swelling characteristics was investigated. Swelling, mucoadhesive property and drug release study of the tablets with different proportions of mucoadhesive polymer and effervescent in formulations were conducted. A good sustained effect and moderate bioadhesion were obtained with the tablets containing 100 mg of effervescent, with Carbopol 934P: HPMC K4M ratio of 1:1 seemed to be the optimum one for the tablet. From the ex vivo retention study it was found that the mucoadhesive polymers hold the tablet for more than 24 hours inside the vaginal tube. Our study may provide a potential vaginal tablet formulation of sertaconazole against Candida albicans.