Formulation and Evaluation of Transungual Drug Delivery of Fluconazole Using Permeation Enhancers Screened by Hydration of Nail Plate

Abstract

The objective of the work was to formulate nail lacquer containing fluconazole an antifungual drug for the treatment of onychomycosis. Onychomycosis, a common fungal nail infection affects the people. Topical and ungual therapy is limited because of the poor permeation of the drug through nail plate. Film base was prepared using varying concentration of cellulose acetate and ethyl cellulose as polymers. The permeation enhancers were screened by nail plate hydration. The formulation was optimized using Box-Behnken design. Various physicochemical parameters like nonvolatile content, drying rate, gloss, smoothness to flow, % CDR for nail lacquer was analyzed out. All the above parameters showed satisfactory results and were within the prescribed limits. Optimum formula suggested by Design Expert software was formulated. The optimum batch shows % CDR was satisfactory and the release kinetics was of zero order. Zone of inhibition and drying time was in range with the standard. The accelerated stability studies showed no significant difference in the evaluation parameters. This proved that the formulated nail lacquer was stable. Antifungal nail lacquers with suitable permeation enhancers are far better for the treatment of onychomycosis than cream, gel and solutions. The high permeation rate helps to reduce the treatment period.

Keywords: Onychomycosis, fluconazole, nail lacquer, transungual drug delivery, permeation enhancers, Box-Behnken design

Cite this Article Arun Raj R, Nithin Kurian. Formulation and Evaluation of Transungual Drug Delivery of Fluconazole Using Permeation Enhancers Screened by Hydration of Nail Plate. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 2016; 8(3): 32–45p.