Development of a novel luliconazole transferosomal gel for enhanced antifungal delivery

Background: Luliconazole is an imidazole antifungal drug mainly used to treat dermatophytic infections including tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis. Objective: The purpose of this research was to synthesize a transferosomal gel incorporating luliconazole for external applications. Materials and methods: The preparation method employed thin film hydration to prepare transferosomes loaded with luliconazole with lecithin and tween 80 at different concentrations. The transferosomes formed were characterized in terms of particle size and entrapment efficiency. Finally, the prepared transferosomes were applied in a carbopol gel base and characterized for drug content, pH, spreadability, viscosity, in vitro release profile, and antifungal studies. Results: The synthesized luliconazole transferosomes had high entrapment efficiency of 74.45 %, and 92.75 %, with particle size ranging between 60 and 200 nm. The shape of the transferosomes was established using scanning electron microscopy; the results depicted spherical-shaped vesicles. The in vitro release study also suggested that the entrapment efficiency influences in vitro release where there is a negative relationship between the two. The gel formulation revealed a good antifungal effect. Conclusion: The luliconazole transferosomal gel exhibited a sustained release profile of the drug and thus may lessen the number of applications required, thereby enhancing patient compliance.