Preparation and Characterization of Luliconazole Nanoemulsion Based Hydrogel

Fungal infection is one of the most common causes of skin diseases. The frequency of fungus infections is increasing worldwide. Oral treatment of fungal infections it has to do with the toxic effect, long-term treatment and patient intolerance while over-the-counter treatments for mild fungal infections are associated with reduced drugs, irritation to the skin and minimal clearance of the skin. So to improve drug penetration, to minimize side effects of drugs and rapid symptomatic relief from fungal infections, nanoemulsion based hydrogel (Carbopol 934) containing an antifungal drug was prepared. Excipients were screened on the bases of solubility of drug in these excipients. Cinnamon oil was selected as oil phase, Tween 80 as surfactant and PEG 400 as cosurfactant. Ternary phase diagram was constructed between oil Smix (Tween 80 and PEG 400 (1:1) and water. Luliconazole nanoemulsion was prepared and incorporated into hydrogel. Hydrogel (1%) was prepared by dispersing the Carbopol 934 in distilled water and kept for 24 hours for complete swelling of carbopol. Triethanolamine was added for crosslinking of gel. The prepared nanoemulsion based hydrogel formulations were then characterized for appearance, pH, rheology, and drug content and drug release. Drug content was found above 85% and drug release was sustained for 12 hrs. Viscosity and pH was found optimum and safe for topical use. Hence the formulation of antifungal LZL into Nanoemulsion for topical drug delivery proves to be promising carrier for the delivery of the drug.