In vitro evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of poloxamer 407-based formulations in an infected nail plate model

Assessment of Physical, Mechanical, Biopharmaceutical Properties of Emulgels and Bigel Containing Ciclopirox Olamine

Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable systems and it is difficult to produce biphasic formulations with large amounts of oil. The aim of our study was to prepare biphasic formulations containing 1% ciclopirox olamine and to determine the influence of the method of oil incorporation (without and with emulsifier and gelifier) on the physical (pH, particle size, rheological properties), mechanical, and biopharmaceutical properties of the formulations. It was found that the use of a poloxamer 407 gel as the hydrophase could result in a stable formulation when an oil with (EPG) or without an emulsifier (APG) or oleogel (OPG) was used as the oily phase. The results of the studies showed that the addition of an emulsifier (polysorbate 80) led to a decrease in the sol-gel temperature, a slower release of ciclopirox olamine, and a higher stability in the freeze–thaw test. However, regardless of the way the oil is incorporated, the particles are distributed in the same range and the antifungal activity against T. rubrum is the same. It is possible to create a biphasic formulation with a large amount of oil and poloxamer gel, but for greater stability, it is recommended to include an emulsifier in the composition.

Antifungal efficacy of liquid poloxamer 407-based emulsions loaded with sertaconazole nitrate

Drug delivery into the human nail plate for the treatment of onychomycosis is difficult due to limited permeability of the nail plate. Semisolid poloxamer 407-based formulations have recently shown promising results for drug delivery into and through the nail plate. In this study, liquid poloxamer 407-based emulsions loaded with sertaconazole nitrate have been developed and the permeation behavior was determined in vitro using modified Franz diffusion cells. The antifungal efficacy was evaluated in an infected nail plate model, where the growth inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum was observed. Bovine hoof plates and keratin films made from human hair were used as models for the human nail plate. In both cases, formulations with low viscosity and high water content showed best results despite a lower solubility of sertaconazole nitrate, suggesting that the composition of the vehicle plays a major role in permeation through the membrane. In addition, an API content close to saturation solubility had a positive effect on permeation.

Development and anti-Candida evaluation of the vaginal delivery system of amphotericin B nanosuspension-loaded thermogel

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a typical kind of vaginal mucosal infection. Herein, we developed a novel vaginal delivery system of amphotericin B (AmB) nanosuspension-loaded thermogel (AmB NPs/thermogel) utilising pharmaceutical technique of high-pressure homogenisation and Poloxamer P407/P188 hydrogel. The stabiliser and hydrogel materials of the formulation were tested to maintain proper sol-gel transition as well as the relative stability of the particle size of AmB nanosuspension in the thermogel. The particle size of AmB nanosuspensions in the hydrogel was ∼247 nm. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the round-shape morphology of AmB nanoparticles in AmB NPs/thermogel, while that of irregular morphology of merely AmB nanosuspensions without stabiliser and hydrogel materials. AmB could be sustained release for ∼12 h in vitro. In vivo drug content in the vaginal tissue was also evaluated with 87, 47, 33 and 6.7% drug remaining after 1, 3, 6 and 12 h, respectively. The in vivo anti-Candida test was conducted on candidiasis-infected mice model. In the same drug dose of 2.5 mg/kg, AmB NPs/thermogel showed better anti-Candida efficiency compared with commercial AmB effervescent tablet. This delivery system might show some insights for the vaginal formulation development of other hydrophobic antifungal drugs.