Studies on Development and Evaluation of Topical Ethosomal Gel Embedded Antifungal Agent for Athlete's Foot

Abstract

BackgroundnbspAthletes foot also known as lsquotinea pedisrsquo is a fungal skin infection caused by different fungi and is associated with itching scaling cracking and redness. Several topical products of antifungal agents such as lotions sprays powders creams jellies and pastes are applied for treating fungal skin infections. All these topical formulations have certain potential bioavailability issues such as less residual time poor skin permeability and absorption thus resulting in poor patient compliance.AimnbspTo formulate and evaluate a novel vesicular carrier Econazole nitrate ECN as Ethosomes in the form of gel for improving antifungal activity against Athletes foot.MethodsnbspIn the present study ECN drug loaded ethosomal vesicular suspension formulations ES-1 ES-2 ES-3 ES-4 were prepared by solvent dispersion technique by mixing ECN with other excipients. Further ethosomal gel of ECN EG-5 EG-6 EG-7 EG-8 was formulated by adding 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.5 wv of Carbopol into the vesicular suspension. The drug-excipient interactions were evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter DSC while shape and surface characteristics were assessed using scanning electron microscopy SEM. In vitro drug release of gel was examined in phosphate buffer pH-7.4 by Franz diffusion cell technique.ResultsnbspAll rheological properties of gel showed satisfactory results. No significant drug-excipient interactions were observed in FT-IR and DSC. While increase in concentrations of soya lecithin and carbopol influenced vesicular shape and surface morphology particle size zeta potential and drug entrapment efficiency the in vitro drug release significantly increased from carbopol drug loaded ethosomal gel.ConclusionnbspThe formulated carbopol drug loaded ethosomal gel enhanced residential time permeability of drug and provided greater bioavailability to improve therapy.