Formulation and optimization of nanoemulsion using antifungal lipid and surfactant for accentuated topical delivery of Amphotericin B

AbstractThe objective of the study was to develop, optimize and evaluate a nanoemulsion (NE) of Amphotericin B (AmB) using excipients with inherent antifungal activities (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) for topical delivery. AmB-loaded NE was prepared using Capmul PG8 (CPG8), labrasol and polyethylene glycol-400 by spontaneous titration method and evaluated for mean particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and zone of inhibition (ZOI). NE6 composed of CPG8 (15%w/w), Smix (24%w/w) and water (61%w/w) was finally selected as optimized NE. AmB-NE6 was studied for improved in vitro release, ex vivo skin permeation and deposition using the Franz diffusion cell across the rat skin followed with drug penetration using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as compared to drug solution (DS) and commercial Fungisome®. The results of in vitro studies exhibited the maximum ZOI value of NE6 as 19.1 ± 1.4 and 22.8 ± 2.0 mm against A. niger and C. albicans, respectively, along with desired globular...