Formulation and evaluation of fluconazole loaded oral strips for local treatment of oral candidiasis

Abstract

This study aimed to develop fluconazole loaded buccal mucoadhesive oral strip for local treatment of oral candidiasis. Oral strip was prepared by solvent casting method with different polymer combinations and evaluated for weight, thickness, drug content, tensile strength, swelling behavior, in vitro disintegration time and drug release, ex vivo mucoadhesive performance, stability study, ex vivo drug diffusion and in vitro antifungal activity. Oral strips were smooth and elegant in appearance; were uniform in thickness, weight and drug content. The disintegration time was within the range of 23–28 s. The release rates of fluconazole from oral strips reached ≈96%. The optimum formulation was stable for 6 months. The in vitro antifungal activity studies showed the efficacy of the oral strip against Candida albicans for an extended period. Cytotoxicity was also studied, and no cytotoxic effect was observed at the tested concentration. The developed oral strip can be a promising delivery system in oral candidiasis.