FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VORICONAZOLE ETHOSOMAL GEL FOR EFFECTIVE TOPICAL FUNGAL TREATMENT
Divyam Raj, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai, Steffi Thomas
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to formulate and characterize a Voriconazole ethosomal gel for effective topical treatment of fungal infections. Voriconazole ethosomes were prepared with varying concentrations of phospholipids and ethanol and evaluated for vesicle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The optimal formulation, EF7, exhibited a vesicle size of 185.65±0.33 nm, a zeta potential of -36.58 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 72.54±0.068%. The ethosomes were then incorporated into a gel base, with the resulting gel (G2) showing a pH of 6.832±0.003, a drug content of 99.023±0.303%, and favorable organoleptic properties. In-vitro release studies indicated that the drug release followed the Higuchi model (R² = 0.8997), suggesting a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The Voriconazole ethosomal gel demonstrated enhanced stability, drug delivery, and user compliance, making it a promising candidate for topical antifungal therapy. Further in-vivo studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore clinical applications.
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