DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEL FORMULATIONS OF SELECTED ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS USING CYCLODEXTRIN BASED NANOSPONGES AS A CARRIER

Objective: This project will construct a Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponge (CDNS) gel and test its topical skin application to improve Posaconazole's (PO) therapeutic impact, distribution, and preservation. Methods: Using convection heating, Cyclodextrin (CDs) (β-CD, 2-HP-β-CD, and SBE-β-CD) were employed to crosslink diphenylcarbonate Nanosponge (NS). Make Posaconazole-Loaded Nanosponges (PONS) by freeze-drying. Box–Behnken Experimental Design (BBD) was used to formulate Carbopol 974 (1–3%, w/w), Propylene glycol (5–10%), and ethanol (10–20%, w/w). The relationship between procedural parameters and quality factors was examined using statistical screening. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for pilot studies. Key techniques affect contour, Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and perturbation graph quality measures. Results: The average particle size of plain NS was 120–220 nm, while PO loaded ones were 48–51 nm with low Polydispersity Index (PDI). High Zeta Potential (ZP) suggests stable, low-agglomeration chemicals. The formulation demonstrated strong encapsulation efficiency (85.78±4.13%) with a viscosity range of 3476.34±213.12 to 3538.28±164.24 and showed 14% degradation over three months. All test formulations exhibited significantly higher PO skin penetration 12 h post-application (range: 41.64±1.72 μg/cm² to 54.12±1.89 μg/cm²) compared to the control group (5.68±0.23 μg/cm²). In vitro release tests indicated NS complexes released medicines faster than pure medications. PONS3, PONS7, and PONS12 with controlled release were chosen for topical hydrogel research due to their effective PO release regulation. NS resisted photodegradation and chemical degradation of PO for 6 mo. Model carbopol gel with NS compositions tested skin permeability, antifungal efficacy, and stability. PONS steadily permeated rat skin for 12 h. Conclusion: The slow drug release, greater skin penetration, and superior storage stability of the gel formulation based on CDNS of PO imply that it has great potential as a topical delivery system.