Fabrication and Evaluation of Luliconazole Loaded Leciplex against Candidiasis

Background: Fungal infections pose a significant public health concern due to the extended duration of treatment needed and the frequent reoccurrence of the disease.

Objectives: This study was aimed to enhance the permeability of luliconazole with sustain release for prolonged period for the effective treatment of fungal infection by incorporating it into lipid based nanocarrier system.

Methods: Luliconazole loaded leciplex were prepared by one step fabrication method using phospholipid, Dimethyldidodecyl ammonium bromide and transcutol P. The prepared leciplex were optimized by using Box Behnken statistical design. Furthermore, luliconazole loaded leciplex were incorporated into carbopol gel system and evaluated for various parameters.

Results: The luliconazole loaded leciplex showed high entrapment efficiency (98.8% ± 1.2) and size were recorded around 428.11 nm with a polydispersity index value of 0.35 ± 0.12, along with zeta potential of +26.30 mV. The Transmission Electron Microscopy studies revealed the spherical morphology of the leciplex. The developed leciplex gel was evaluated for its pH, viscosity, spreadability, hardness and adhesiveness. Furthermore, in vitro and ex vivo release kinetics demonstrated the sustained drug release pattern. Moreover, histopathology studies conducted on the rat skin revealed that the prepared formulation was non - irritant and non – toxic. The antifungal assay of developed formulations (containing only 0.3 % w/v luliconazole) showed significantly greater antifungal activity against Candida albicans as compared to marketed formulation (containing 1 % w/v luliconazole).