Thiocolchicoside used for the effective treatment of muscle spasm, cramps, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. It is available in market in the form of capsules and injection. The major problem associated with thiocolchicoside is it’s bioavailability which is very low i.e. 25-30% only so in order to minimize drug loss due to first pass metabolism, and overcome problem associated with low bioavailability of drug there is a need to formulate semisolid preparation in the form of gel so we try to formulate and evaluate thiocolchicoside gel using different polymer and comparative study of their drug release. In vitro release of thiocolchicoside gel from three different polymers i.e. carbapol, HPMC, and Na CMC to an aqueous receptor phase through goat skin was monitored spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 259nm. This study was conducted to develop gel formulation of thiocolchicoside using three types of gelling agent i.e. carbopol, HPMC, Na CMC. Effect of penetration enhancer (propylene glycol) on the release has been studied. The gels were evaluated for physical appearance, rheological behaviour, drug release, and stability. Drug release from all gelling agent through goat skin was evaluated using keshary-chien diffusion cell. All gels show acceptable physical properties concerning colour, homogenity, consistancy spredability and pH value. Among all gel formulation carbapol showed superior drug release then followed by Na CMC and HPMC. Drug release decreased with increased in the polymer concentration. Drug release was not linearly proportional with the conc. of penetration enhancer or co-solvent stability studies showed that the physical appearance, rheological properties and drug release remained unchanged upon storage for two month at ambient condition.

Keywords: Thiocolchicoside topical gel; carbopol; HPMC; Na CMC; penetration enhancer

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