Investigation of excipients influence on rheological behaviour of hydrogels with dimethindene maleate and dexpanthenol: conditions of controlled shear rate

Abstract Every year, the number of cases of hypersensitivity to insect bites increases. Thus, particular attention needs to be paid to the treatment of insect allergy in children, as scratching the bites can complicate the healing process and lead to infection. Therefore, a topical issue for modern medicine and pharmacy is the development of a gel of combined anti-allergic, reparative and anti-inflammatory action for the treatment of local manifestations of allergic skin reactions. Rheological studies are one of the stages of pharmaceutical development of soft dosage forms. In this study, we perform rheological studies of hydrogels containing 0.1% dimethindene maleate and 3.0% dexpanthenol made on different carriers of dispersed structures: Carbopol™ Polymers carbomer Ultrez 10 NF, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) of brand Metolose SR-90SH-100000SR, Ziboxan F200 xanthan gum. The rheological studies were undertaken using a rheometer in controlled shear rate mode CSR. Basic structural and mechanical indices of the dispersed systems were determined. These included: yield stress, structural viscosity, viscosity at infinite shear rate, the hysteresis loop area. Moreover, dynamic liquefaction coefficients have been calculated. Based on the rheological studies of hydrogels containing 0.1% dimethindene maleate and 3.0% dexpanthenol prepared with various carriers, the use of 1.8% and 2.0% HPMC hydrogels, 2.0% and 2.5% xanthan gum hydrogels, 0.5% and 0.75% carbomer gels is recommended for further biopharmaceutical studies. The application of one of these formulations as the final composition, provides adhesion and will not complicate the scaling-up of the process.