DEVELOPMENT OF FLUCONAZOLE-LOADED POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)/POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL) BLENDED FILM FOR TREATMENT OF CANDIDA-INFECTED CUTANEOUS WOUNDS

In this work, we aimed to develop fluconazole (FLU)-loaded polymer blended film (FLU-film) for candidiasis wounds. The films were prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 (PEG 1000) mixed at different proportions by weight, casted on a petri dish, and dried at 60ºC for 12 h. Tensile strength, swelling ratio, and morphology were analyzed to determine an appropriate film for wound application. The selected film was loaded with 0.5% w/w FLU, where the drug homogeneity was ascertained. Then, the drug release profile, cytotoxicity of the films, and antifungal activity were determined. The findings revealed that the suitable film was PVA:PEG 1000 (95:5), showing anticipated flexibility and stretchability, as well as a soothing texture, while the swelling and molecular attributes were comparable to other films. FLU was homogenously loaded into the selected film and presented a prolonged release profile following Higuchi’s model. The film was found to be non-toxic to the human skin fibroblast. Lastly, the FLU-film presented 1.16-fold greater antifungal effectiveness than the free FLU. Overall, the FLU-film has been developed and proven to be effective for treating Candida-infected wounds.