Synthesis and evaluation of luliconazole loaded biodegradable nanogels prepared by pH-responsive Poly (acrylic acid) grafted Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose using amine based cross linker for topical targeting: In vitro and Ex vivo assessment

Fungal infection in immuno compromised patients causes skin syndromes and problems. At Present, innovative alternatives are required to cure skin disorders and infections. Luliconazole is a novel, broad spectrum, imidazole antifungal agent. The purpose of this study was to develop biodegradable, pH responsive, chemically cross-linked and Poly (acrylic acid) grafted sodium carboxymethyl cellulose nanogels. Nanogels had been synthesized to evaluate its applicability as an effective carrier of luliconazole for topical (skin) targeting. Chemically cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-grafted-Poly acrylic acid (NaCMC-g-PAA) was synthesized from acrylic acid and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose using N, N'-methylene bisacrylamide (cross-linker) and potassium persulfate (initiator) using free radical polymerization. Variation of reaction parameters such as pH, cross linker, initiator and temperature has been used to optimize the best one. The developed nanogels reveal significant pH sensitive drug releasing behavior. NaCMC-g-PAA nanogels has been characterized using various physicochemical characterization techniques. Nanogels characteristics were evaluated through the In vitro drug release, Ex vivo permeation study, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Stability Study and antifungal activity. All batches were characterized for particle size analysis and ranged from 78.82 nm to 190 nm. The viscosity of developed nanogels was found to be 5941 cps. It was observed that the developed drug-loaded NaCMC-g-PAA nanogels were more effective in killing the fungus. Consequently, Nanogels incorporated with luliconazole could be a new approach with improved antifungal activity and increased topical delivery for a drug with poor aqueous solubility rather than coarse drug-containing cream.