Formulation and physicochemical control of mupirocin emulsion

The aim of this study was to develop a stable skin emulsifier from mupirocin.

This study was performed in the Department of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Pharmaceutical Sciences from November 2016 to September 2015. Initially, preformulation studies were performed on mupirocin powder and a standard diagram was drawn. Next, the bases of the drug-free emulsifiers were made, their stability was investigated and the superior formulation was selected. The next step was the formulation of the emulsion containing the drug. Further studies such as determining the amount of active ingredient, releasing the drug in vitro and determining the aura of stunting were performed.

Emulsifier containing 940 carbomer, 5% liquid paraffin, 0.4% tween 20 and 1.1% spin 20 were selected as the top formulation. The results of stability, dispersibility and other tests were appropriate. The amount of active ingredient in the formulations was between 90 and 110%. Within 8 hours, the drug was released at approximately 85%. Rheologically, the formulation followed non-Newtonian behavior. It also showed the behavior of plastics and thixotropes. Observing the growth inhibition zone around drug-containing formulations indicateed that mupirocin was released from the emulsion base and prevented the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

A stable emulsion formulation can be prepared from mupirocin. It is suggested that accelerated stability studies and periodic and scale-up formulations be carried out for industrial production.