DESIGN OF PRONIOSOMAL GEL CONTAINING EUGENOL AS AN ANTIFUNGAL AGENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF ORAL CANDIDIASIS

The objective of this study was to design and investigate the antifungal activity of proniosomal gel of eugenol for the treatment of oral candidiasis. The proniosomal gel was prepared by coacervation phase separation method using different surfactants like spans 20, 60, 80, soya lecithin and cholesterol. The proniosomal gel formulations were evaluated for visual inspection, pH detection, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro drug release and kinetics study, and in vivo studies. The compatibility study indicated that the drug and the excipients were compatible with each other. The results showed that pH, viscosity and spreadability were all acceptable for topical preparation. In vitro drug release study and drug release kinetics were conducted to check the release study and drug release patterns of the formulation. Amongst the formulations, an optimized formulation was selected to conduct an in vivo study. Candida albicans was used to induce oral candidiasis for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of proniosomal gel in immunosuppressed rats. Activity was analysed by microbiological and histopathological techniques and was compared with the marketed product. It is evident from the study that the proniosomal gel shows sustained release trend with strong antifungal activity.