Comparative evaluation of transdermal formulations of norfloxacin with silver sulfadiazine cream, USP, for burn wound healing property.

Objective: In an attempt to find a better treatment for bacterial infections and burn wounds, various semisolid formulations containing 5% w/w of norfloxacin were prepared and evaluated for physicochemical parameters, in vitro drug release through cellophane membrane, antimicrobial activity, and burn wound healing properties. The prepared formulations were compared with silver sulfadiazine 1% cream, USP.

Methods: Various semisolid formulations were prepared with different bases like Carbopol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, using standard procedures. The antimicrobial activity of these semisolid norfloxacin formulations, against various strains of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, was evaluated by using a standard cup-plate method. The wound healing property was evaluated by measuring the wound contraction and expressed as percentage of contraction of original wound size for each animal group.

Results: Antimicrobial activity of norfloxacin semisolid formulations was found to be equally effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in comparison to a formulation of silver sulfadiazine 1% cream, USP, available on the market.

Conclusion: The burn wound healing property of the prepared norfloxacin semisolid formulations was found to be in good agreement with silver sulfadiazine 1% cream, USP, available on the market.