Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Famciclovir is an antiviral drug used in the management of herpesvirus infections. Conventional oral administration has certain limitations, prompting interest in alternative drug delivery approaches. Transferosomes are highly deformable phospholipid vesicles with potential applications in topical drug delivery. However, the formulation characteristics and in vitro release performance of famciclovir-loaded transferosomes incorporated into a Carbopol 934 gel require further evaluation.

Aims: To develop and evaluate a famciclovir-loaded transferosomal gel as a topical drug delivery system, addressing the limitations associated with conventional oral administration of this antiviral drug.

Study Design: An experimental formulation development and in vitro evaluation study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutics, Adhiparasakthi College of Pharmacy, Melmaruvathur, [2024-2026].

Methodology: Transferosomes were prepared by the ethanol injection method using soya lecithin and Tween 80 and incorporated into a Carbopol 934 gel. Six formulations (F1–F6) were prepared and evaluated for entrapment efficiency and vesicular characteristics. The transferosomal gels were evaluated for drug content and in vitro drug release.

Results: The optimised F4 formulation showed an entrapment efficiency of 91.7%, a particle size of 167.4 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.380 and a zeta potential of −33.5 mV. The optimized transferosomal gel exhibited 96.8% drug content and sustained in vitro drug release, reaching 93.08% at 8 h.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the famciclovir-loaded transferosomal gel may serve as a promising approach for topical delivery of Famciclovir.