Formulation and Evaluation of Econazole nitrate Nano emulsion for Fungal Topical Use

The objective of this study is to design and develop a nanoemulsion of Econazole nitrate for the effective treatment of tinea versicolor, a common fungal infection. Econazole nitrate, an imidazole-class antifungal agent, is known for its broad-spectrum activity. However, it belongs to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II, indicating that while it has high permeability, it suffers from low solubility. This limited solubility can result in incomplete absorption when administered orally, leading to variable bioavailability among different patients. In topical formulations, the drug's effectiveness may be compromised due to its poor solubility in the vehicle and low permeability through the skin. To address these challenges, nanoemulsions have been developed as a delivery system. The study involves the preparation of a topical nanoemulsion containing 1% Econazole nitrate, utilizing different oils (such as oleic acid), surfactants (Tween 20), co-surfactants (PEG 200, PEG 400), and distilled water. These oil-in-water nanoemulsions are prepared using the spontaneous emulsification method. Formulations that successfully passed thermodynamic stability tests were further characterized for their appearance, pH, FTIR spectra, viscosity, drug content, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release profile using a Franz diffusion cell. Additionally, the stability of these formulations was assessed over time.