Design and evaluation of topical herbal antifungal stick containing extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus

Abstract

PurposeRhinacanthus nasutus is used traditionally in Malaysia to treat fungal infection. The present research is intended to formulate a novel antifungal stick subsumed with methanolic extract from the leaves of Rhinacanthus nasutus which will increase patient compliance and stability as compared to the conventional dosage form. MethodAntifungal sticks were formulated using a combination hydrophilic base, polyethylene glycol (4000 and 400), and hydrophobic base, cocoa butter by fusion method. Formulated sticks were subjected to physical evaluation such as hardness, softening time and temperature and invitro dissolution test. ResultPolyethylene glycol based antifungal stick demonstrated a rapid release of the active constituent measured in terms of rutin equivalent. The mechanism of flavonoid released was supported with high regression when the release data was fitted in Higuchi and Hixson Crowell release kinetics model. The extract showed excellent antifungal activity against selected strains of fungi A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. calavatus, P. crysogenum and P. italcum (P<0.05). ConclusionHydrophobic base exhibited a very slow release which may be attributed to the strong affinity of the bases for the active ingredient.