SLNs Based on Co-Processed Lipids for Topical Delivery of Terbinafine Hydrochloride

Abstract

Terbinafine hydrochloride (TH) is first line drug against treatment of onychomycosis; which is the commonest fungal infection of nail plate. However, strong barrier property of nail plate restricts the effective topical treatment of onychomycosis. In this study, TH loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared and subsequently incorporated into a gel system. SLNs were prepared by high pressure homogenization (HPH) technique using glyceryl monosterate (GMS), compritol 888ATO and a co-processed lipid. They were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency (%EE), % drug loading (%DL), drug content and in-vitro drug release. Optimized SLNs were incorporated into chitosan gel and further evaluated for in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo antifungal study. All formulations of SLNs showed %EE > 94%. %DL was found to be higher with co-processed lipid. As evidenced from ex vivo anti fungal studies, SLN based gel of TH showed better activity against Candida albicans as compared to the conventional marketed preparation. It was concluded from study that SLN based gel of TH could be a promising formulation for the effective treatment of onychomycosis.