Abstract
The formulation of spanlastic vesicles of luliconazole can be used to overcome its poor skin permeation and improve its antifungal efficacy. In this study, we aimed to enhance the dermal delivery of luliconazole, an antifungal drug, through spanlastic vesicles. A 23 regular factorial design was employed, using the Design Expert® software for optimization. The independent variables chosen were Span: Edge activator ratio, type of edge activator, and sonication intensity and their effect on the dependent variables, i.e., entrapment efficiency, particle size, and percentage of drug release after 8h were determined. Spanlastics were formulated by ethanol injection method using Tween 80 as an edge activator. Spanlastics were found to possess sizes in the nano range with entrapment efficiencies between 77 - 88% with optimum zeta potential and polydispersity index indicating a stable formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared studies revealed complete encapsulation of the drug within the elastic carriers. The optimized spanlastic formulation was further incorporated into a gel base and was found to be sufficiently viscous, spreadable, homogenous, showed a prolonged release for up to 8h and was also found to be non-irritant. The in-vitro permeation study revealed that the flux value obtained for luliconazole entrapped in the vesicular spanlastics (0.2292 mg/cm2.h) was also found to be higher than that of the marketed (0.1302 mg/cm2.h) and conventional gel (0.1122 mg/cm2.h). The optimized gel formulation was also evaluated for its antimycotic activity. Moreover, the optimized gel formulation also possessed a greater antimycotic activity against Candida albicans. The spanlastics loaded hydrogel formulation was found to have a greater zone of inhibition in comparison to the marketed formulation, thus proving to have optimum antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Collectively, the results revealed that spanlastics could be a potential nanocarrier for wellcontrolled delivery and for targeting deeper skin layers, thus providing new opportunities for dermal treatment.
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