Advanced lipid-based nanocarriers for cutaneous fungal infections: A pharmaceutical design and In vitro evaluation of antifungal nanostructured lipid carriers

Introduction: Fungal infections represent a significant concern to worldwide public health, as the rise of antifungal resistance constrains current therapy choices. Sulconazole nitrate (SCZ), an antifungal drug, may be regarded as a viable candidate for effective transdermal delivery. This study aimed to design and assess SCZ nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for enhanced skin penetration and therapeutic effectiveness. Methods: The preformulation studies encompass drug identification, solubility assessment, UV and IR analysis, and partition coefficient determination. Lipids were evaluated for solubility in SCZ, leading to the selection of solid (stearic acid) and liquid (isopropyl myristate) lipids deemed most suitable. NLCs were synthesized using a modified microemulsion technique and statistically optimized by Central Composite Design. Essential factors, including particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency, were analyzed utilizing photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methodologies. The optimized formulation was assessed for stability for a period of 180 days. Results: Optimized formulation (NLC-SN10) showed mean particle size of 395.24 ± 2.46 nm, entrapment efficiency of 76.14 ± 1.35%, and zeta potential of −23.85 ± 0.25 mV. Spherical shape was confirmed by SEM. Stability studies showed minimal change in particle size, zeta potential, and drug entrapment, making the formulation stable for six months. Conclusion: SCZ-loaded NLCs showed considerably higher drug entrapment and stability, which also signaled their potential in amplified topical antifungal therapy. The formulation had great physicochemical and biological attributes, which also signaled potential for extra clinical study.