Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoemulgel of Econazole Nitrate to Treat the Topical Fungal Infection

ABSTRACT: Econazole nitrate, an imidazole ring-containing broad-spectrum antifungal drug, is used to treat Dermatomycosis furfuracea, Foot mycosis and Groin dermatophytosis. This work focuses on the formulation and assessment of nanoemulgels generated from Nano emulsions using high-speed homogenization. Nanoemulgel has various benefits over creams and ointments, one of which is that the drug is delivered to intended location more quickly. Mycosis for skin belong to the most common dermatological syndrome in the globe. Topical treatment improves efficacy and permeability. The characterization of the econazole was done by physical appearance , melting point , UV , IR , DSC. Solubility of Econazole in different oils and surfactants like Almond oil , Oleic acid , Olive oil, Tween 80,Tween 40, Span 80 and PEG 400 , Ethanol. According to solubility the surfactant, oil and co-surfactant was chosen. The nanoemulsion of Econazole with oleic acid, tween 80, PEG400 was made . Nanoemulsion was then characterized by entrapment efficiency, Globular size(particle size),zeta potential, drug content . After getting optimized batch the corbopol 940 use as gelling agent , was encorporated into the nanoemulsion , and nanoemulgel was formed . The nanoemulgel properties were assessed by measuring drug content, viscosity pH. Drug release from nanoemulgel was done by franze diffusion cell . The melting point of the Econazole was found to be 1630C. UV Spectroscopy of Econazole gives wavelength 218 nm for the topical formulation . FTIR gives the functional groups present in pure Econazole structure.. The solubility of Econazole is highest in oleic acid was 66 mg/ml , surfactant Tween 80 was 11.23 mg/ml, and co surfactant PEG400 was 3.8 mg/ml . The Particle size of the nanoemulsion was found to be 192.4 nm with PDI is 0.209. The zeta potential is -30.96 mV and the % drug release is 94.2% over 24 Hrs which results in sustained and controlled drug release from the formulation. And follows higuchi order kinetics. The DSC of pure drug and final formulation of nanoemulgel was obtained which explains that decrease in melting point from pure drug(167.950C) to nanoemulgel ( 104.230 C)that the crystallinity decreases and goes toward amorphous which increase solubility. Potential Amorphization or interaction of Econazole with nanoemulgel matrix. Drug content was 96.08% and spreadability was 29.41 gm.cm/sec, and gel was easily spreads through skin. Antifungal study gives the larger zone of inhibition of the optimized formulation batch of nanoemulgel compared to the marketed formulation. Stability study was done at different temperature conditions and changes in pH, viscosity, drug content, gelling capacity was noted.