FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF FLUCONAZOLE LOADED NANOFIBER BASED MUCOADHESIVE PATCHES

Localized antifungal therapy can be enhanced through sustained drug release, improved bioavailability, and better patient compliance. This study aimed to develop fluconazole-loaded nanofiber-based mucoadhesive patches using a quality-by-design (QbD) approach. Fluconazole was incorporated into nanofibers via electrospinning with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-90 (PVP K-90) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A Central Composite Design (CCD) assessed the effect of polymer concentration on folding endurance and entrapment efficiency. Optimized nanofibers exhibited high mechanical strength (folding endurance up to 270 folds), 90% entrapment efficiency, particle size of 157.1 nm, and zeta potential of –23.2 mV. These nanofibers were incorporated into mucoadhesive patches using polyvinyl alcohol and PVP via double casting. The patches showed uniform thickness, good flexibility, near-neutral surface pH, consistent drug content, and favorable swelling behavior. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained drug release, with 96.18% release over 24 hours for the optimized formulation. The developed nanofiber-based mucoadhesive patch offers a promising approach for effective localized antifungal therapy.