Innovative Delivery Systems for the Antifungal Agents

Introduction: Antifungal therapy, DDS, nanotechnology, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, oleogels. Methods: Oleogels were prepared using Aerosil 200 as the gelling agent and a lipid blend of castor oil, paraffin oil, and rapeseed oil. Tween 80 and tocopheryl acetate were incorporated to improve solubilization and stability. A Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the concentration of the gelling agent and oil phase. The formulations were evaluated for viscosity, pH, spreadability, homogeneity, drug content, FTIR, DSC, in vitro drug release, and stability. Results: The optimized oleogel exhibited a smooth and homogeneous texture with ideal spreadability and skin-compatible pH. FTIR and DSC confirmed the absence of major drug– excipient interactions, indicating chemical compatibility. The optimized batch demonstrated improved drug release and better diffusion characteristics compared to non-optimized formulations. Stability studies showed no significant change in physicochemical properties over the test period. Discussion: The enhanced release profile and improved diffusion suggest that the oleogel matrix effectively facilitates the partitioning and permeation of itraconazole through the skin layers. The optimized formulation aligns with current trends in lipid-based topical delivery systems and demonstrates a clear advantage over conventional creams and gels. Conclusion: The study successfully developed a stable and efficient itraconazole-loaded oleogel with favourable physicochemical properties and enhanced drug release. These findings support its potential as a promising topical carrier for improved antifungal therapy.