FABRICATION AND EVALUATION OF ULTRADEFORMABLE VESICULAR NANOGEL LOADED WITH ECONAZOLE NITRATE

Transferosomes are advanced ultradeformable vesicles designed to enhance permeability across biological barriers. This study aimed to improve the efficacy of econazole nitrate by formulating transferosomes with edge activators to enhance drug release and penetration. They were prepared via thin-film hydration using econazole nitrate, soya lecithin, Tween®80, sodium deoxycholate and Span®60. The optimized Span®60 based formulation achieved an entrapment efficiency of 85.89 %, particle size of 63.8 nm, zeta potential of -31 mV, and a polydispersity index of 0.233. The drug when incorporated into 1 % Carbopol® 934 gel with Transcutol® P, demonstrated 89.11 % in vitro drug release and superior antifungal activity against Candida albicans compared to standard and plain econazole nitrate gels, highlighting improved release, penetration and therapeutic potential.