Unlocking the Potential of Nanofibers Infused Eutectic Aloe-Vera Gel ofCurcumin and Azole Derivatives to Manage Cutaneous Fungal Infection

Introduction: Fungal infections pose a considerable health challenge worldwide. Traditional antifungal treatments frequently face issues such as inadequate drug penetration and increasing resistance. This research sought to assess a new formulation that merges the antifungal properties of fluconazole-encapsulated chitosan nanofibers with the natural healing advantages of curcumin in a eutectic Aloe vera gel. Methods: Phase separation was used to formulate the nanofibers (Fl-Ch-Nf), which were then characterized for morphology, spectroscopic analysis, fiber size analysis, and Zeta potential research. Further, fluconazole-loaded chitosan nanofiber eutectic Aloe vera gel (Fl-Ch-Nf-Eugel) has been prepared and tested for morphology, pH, spreadability, viscosity, washability, percentage yield, total drug content and, in vitro antifungal activity Results: The optimized nanofibers (Fl-Ch-Nf4) displayed a fibrous, spine-like interconnected network structure as observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). A spectrophotometric examination clearly indicated that Fl-Ch-Nf4 was effectively produced. The average size of the Fl-Ch-Nf4 and its polydispersity index (PDI) were 172.4±08.8nm and 0.384±0.04, respectively. The Zeta potential was measured at approximately -30.5±2.2 mV, suggesting relatively high colloidal stability. The pH and viscosity of the Fl-Ch-Nf-Eugel were determined to be 5.45±0.5 and 5800±2125cp, respectively. The spreadability of the Fl-Ch-Nf-Eugel was measured at 6.56±0.22cm, indicating a broad spread area means good spreadability. The yield of the Fl-ChNf-Eugel was assessed to be approximately 96±2%. Total drug (fluconazole) content of Fl-ChNf-Eugel was found to be 82±3.4%, demonstrating the successful incorporation of the drug into the formulation. A higher zone of inhibition (20.0±5.4mm) with the 0.03% Fl-Ch-Nf-Eugel was observed compared to the 0.5% commercial fluconazole (15±3.2mm), indicating potential effectiveness of the formulation. Discussion: Stable and uniform nanofibers have been produced, featuring clusters of spines with a rough and irregular surface. The high yield of the produced formulation demonstrates an excellent and efficient manufacturing process, characterized by good spreadability that effectively covers a wide affected area. Conclusion: The developed formulation emerged as an effective, safe, and synergized in therapeutic efficacy for the management of fungal infections.