Development and Characterization of β-Cyclodextrin Assisted Neomycin Microsponge Gel for Sustained Topical Delivery

This study focuses on the formulation, development, and optimization of β-cyclodextrin-based neomycin-loaded microsponge gel for effective topical drug delivery. Preformulation studies confirmed neomycin’s suitable physicochemical properties, including good solubility in polar solvents, acceptable pH, and stability. Microsponge formulations exhibited porous, spherical morphology with nanoscale particle size and high drug entrapment efficiency, with formulation MSF4 showing optimal performance. The prepared gel demonstrated desirable characteristics such as smooth texture, appropriate viscosity, skin-compatible pH, excellent spreadability, and absence of irritation. In vitro drug release followed zero-order kinetics, indicating sustained and controlled release. Antimicrobial studies revealed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Stability studies confirmed minimal changes under various storage conditions. Overall, the optimized β-cyclodextrin-based microsponge gel presents a stable, effective, and promising system for localized treatment of bacterial skin infections with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.