Tolnaftate-Loaded PolyacrylateElectrospun Nanofibers for an Impressive Regimen on Dermatophytosis

Shashi Misra,Sandip Patil,Pramod Ramteke,Himanshu Pandey,Avinash Pandey

doi:10.3390/fib5040041

Abstract

Dermatophytosis, topical fungal infection is the most common cause of skin bug in the world, generally underestimated and ignored. It is commonly caused by immensely mortifying and keratinophilic fungal eukaryotes which invade keratinized tissues and generate different tinea diseases in Mediterranean countries. We herein fabricated nanofibers/scaffolds embedded with thiocarbamate derivative topical antifungal tolnaftatefor the first time to target the complete elimination of dermatophyte at the site of infection. In this regard, variable combinations of biocompatible Eudragit grades (ERL100 and ERS100) were selected to provide better adhesion on the site of dermatophytosis, ample absorption of exudates during treatment, and customized controlled drug release. Surface topography analysis indicated that the fabricated nanofibers were regular and defect-free, comprising distinct pockets with nanoscaled diameters. Characterization and compatibility studies of tolnaftate, polymers, and their nanofibers were performed through ATR-FTIR, TGA, and PXRD. Remarkable hydrophilicity and an excellent swelling index were obtained from a 3:1 ratio of ERL100/ERS100 electrospun D3 nanofibers, which is an essential benchmark for the fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds for alleviating dermatophytosis. In vitro drug release investigation revealed that a nonwoven nanomesh of nanofibers could control the rate of drug release for 8 h. A microdilution assay exhibited inhibition of more than 95% viable cells of Trichophyton rubrum for 96 h. However, Microsporum species rigidly restricted the effect of bioactive antifungal nanofibers and hence showed resistance. In vivo activity on Trichophyton rubrum infected Swiss albino mice revealed complete inhibition of fungal pathogens on successive applications of D3 nanofibers for 7 days. This investigation suggests potential uses of tolnaftate loaded polyacrylate nanofibers as dressing materials/scaffolds for effective management of dermatophytosis.

Highlights

Dermatophytosis, positioned as the fourth most common disease in the last decade, has affected more than 25% of the world’s population
Biocompatible Eudragit RL100 (ERL100) and Eudragit RS 100 (ERS100) polymers with molecular weight of 150,000 Da were procured as gift samples from Evonik (Rohm Pharma, Darmstadt, Germany)
The surface morphology of morphology of the fabricated nanofibers presents an interesting perspective in terms of tailoring the multifunctional aspect of wound healing and dressing materials for topical fungal infection

Summary

Introduction

Dermatophytosis, positioned as the fourth most common disease in the last decade, has affected more than 25% of the world’s population. Fibers 2017, 5, 41 and the zoophilic Microsporum are graded as disastrous pathogens thatinvade keratinized tissue (skin, nail, scalp, etc.) and generate different tinea diseases in Mediterranean countries. These infections are primarily confined to the outer layers of skin, hair, and nails, where keratin is the dominant structural protein, leading to a wide variety of disease states in the scalp (tinea capitis), feet (tinea pedis), and groin (tinea cruris) and in other body surfaces such as tinea corporis [1].These opportunistic fungal infections occur in the dead regions of keratinized cells of the stratum corneum and are ubiquitous in the world. Toxic results have been reported when these therapies are prescribed for prolonged use [3]

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