FORMULATION, OPTIMIZATION AND IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIFUNGAL TRANSFEROSOMAL GEL USING BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN: A CUTTING-EDGE APPROACH TO DRUG DELIVERY

Pharmacy

Background: Transferosomes are ultra-deformable lipid vesicles composed of phospholipids, surfactants, and water, designed to enhance the permeability of drugs through the skin and mucosal barriers. The aim of the investigation is to formulate and evaluate the clotrimazole and miconazole-nitrate-loaded transferosomal gel containing antifungal agents for the treatment of fungal infection. Method: The transferosomes were developed using thin film hydration approach and optimized by Box-Behnken statistical design with different concentrations of phospholipids and surfactants like soya lecithin, span 80 and tween 80 as independent factors and Entrapment Efficiency (%), Particle Size (nm), Zeta Potential (mV) as dependent variables. The developed MI-CTM transferosomes were then embedded in the carbopol 934 gel basis, which was assessed for drug content, pH, spreadability, viscosity, and in vitro release kinetic investigations. Results: The high EE% ranged from 15.6 ± 0.66% to 80.25 ± 1.85% for the synthesized transferosomes, while the particle sizes ranged from 145 ± 0.604 nm to 760 ± 0.684 nm, and the zeta potential ranged from -2.8 to -41.8 mV. Transferosomes surface morphology were assessed using a scanning electron microscope, and it was discovered that the vesicles were spherical with smooth surface. The optimal formulation underwent a 24 h in vitro release trial, demonstrating superior drug release of 86.94% and 89.87% CDR with first-order kinetics and Peppas model for miconazole nitrate and clotrimazole, respectively, both of which followed non-Fickian transport mechanism. Conclusion: As a result, both patient compliance and the frequency of drug application are enhanced by miconazole nitrate and clotrimazole in the form of transferosomal gel.

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