Formulation and evaluation of fluconazole loaded nanospongies for improved topical drug delivery

Fluconazole (an antifungal drug) loaded nanosponges (NS) were prepared by an emulsion solvent diffusion method using ethyl cellulose as the polymer. Prepared formulations were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters and in-vitro drug release. NS of fluconazole were discrete, free flowing nanosized particles with perforated orange peel-like morphology as shown by SEM analysis. A topical hydrogel formulation based on the drug loaded NS showed a prolonged release profile for the drug. Kinetic modelling on release data showed that the best fitted model was Higuchi model and release mechanism was by Fickian diffusion. FTIR and PXRD results confirmed the absence of any drug polymer interaction and stability of drug in the delivery system.