Formulation and Evaluation of Apigenin-Loaded Topical Organogel for the Wound Healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a complicated process that requires the use of many medications including anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. A naturally occurring flavonoid, apigenin can be found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants that has versatile benefits and medical uses including wound healing, antioxidant, antiaging and others. Organogel is one of the promising topical drug delivery strategies which have many potentials in drug delivery effect. Organogel will be used for the topical delivey of apigenin. Different organogels were prepared by using lecithin, isopropyl myristate, pluronic F127, PEG 400 and water. The formulations were evaluated for their gelation temperature, pH, drug content, viscosity and drug release. The results demonstrated that without PEG 400 only 55% of the drug was released after 6 hours while 91% was released when PEG 400 was used. Formulation F5 was the optimum formula with appropriate viscosity (3372 mPs), pH (6.33), drug content (91%) and 27^◦C gelation temperature.  Drug release was around 91% within 6 hours. The formulated APN topical organogel will have the potential to improve wound healing by delivering the medication to the wound site in a sustained and localized approach.