Enhanced topical delivery of terbinafine HCl nanomicelles embedded in chitosan gel for improved antifungal activity

OBJECTIVES: Terbinafine Hydrochloride nanomicelles loaded chitosan gel was prepared with a goal to provide effective and controlled drug deliveryto the skin layers where conventional topical preparations are unable to penetrate. SIGNIFICANCE: Terbinafine Hydrochloride is a broad spectrum agent used widely against fungal skin infections. However, the efficacy of conventional topical Terbinafine Hydrochloride formulation is appreciable only when the fungus resides in upper layers of the skin. Terbinafine Hydrochloride nanomicelles provide a good alternative for efficiently eradicating the fungus in deeper skin layers, leading to lower relapse rate. METHODS: skin permeation, deposition, distribution and histopathology. RESULTS: ) resulted in the nanomicelles with diameter of 61 nm, poly dispersity index of 0.1 and encapsulation efficiency of 95.2%. TEM analysis confirmed the spherical nature while chemical compatibility of formulation ingredients, drug encapsulation and amorphous nature of the drug was confirmed by FTIR, EDX analysis and DSC respectively. The TbH nanomicelles loaded chitosan gel depicted improved antifungal efficacy and distribution in the skin layers as compared to conventional available formulations. CONCLUSION: The prepared Terbinafine Hydrochloride loaded chitosan gel is claimed to demonstrate improved antifungal efficacy and skin delivery highlighting its potential for the topical treatment of skin fungal infections.