Design and in vitro characterization of a topical nanoemulsion-enriched hydrogel of econazole nitrate

ABSTRACT

Background/Objective: The aim of the study was to prepare a nanoemulsion (NE)-enriched hydrogel of econazolenitrate (EC) for a topical broad-spectrum antimycotic application. EC is classified as a Biopharmaceutical ClassificationSystem Class IV (low permeability, low solubility) drug. Nanotechnology is one of the most important approaches toimprove drugs solubility and permeability.Methods: Depending on solubility study of EC in NE components which include oils (peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil,and olive oil), surfactants (Tween 40, Brij 35, and Ceto stearyl alcohol), and co-surfactants (Propylene glycol, PEG400, and Glycerol); peppermint oil was selected as the oil phase. Tween 40 and propylene glycol were selected asthe surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. Deionized water was used as an aqueous phase. A phase diagram wasprepared with a 51 weight ratio of tween 40 to propylene glycol. One percent of EC was loaded into the selectedNE system and combined with hydrogel consisting of carbopol 934 or HPMC as gelling polymer at three differentpercentages. Evaluation and in vitro release of the product were done.Results: NE Formula (F10) which is composed of 10% w/w of each the oil and surfactant mixture was selected asoptimum NE which shows a particle size of 80.57 nm and acceptable viscosity and pH (5.65). Formula (G6) which iscomposed of NE (F10) combined with hydrogel 3.5% HPMC shows satisfactory physical properties with the completeand prolonged release over 8 hours.Conclusion: The results suggest that the prepared NE-enriched hydrogel can be considered as a promising deliverysystem for class IV antifungal drug