Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF ITRACONAZOLE NANOSPONGES AS A FUNGI EVACUATOR –AN OPTIMISTIC DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Limce Thampi*, K. R. Akshay, Gayathri Gopi, Nazrin K. I., Ponnu Jacob, Gini EJ

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Abstract

Itraconazole is a synthetic triazole antifungal used to treat a range of broad-spectrum fungal infections both locally and systemically. The drug is under BCS II, indicating it has low water solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability. Drug-resistant fungi can be killed with nanosponges. Chronic itraconazole treatment for fungi impairs the liver. The goal is to lower side effects by enhancing drug solubility. The nanosponges were made from Ethylcellulose (EC), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMC), and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The emulsion solvent evaporation technique was used to improve solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Responses were also analysed, including in vitro dissolution. F03, F07, and F11 were chosen as controlled-release tablet excipients based on the results of the nanosponges evaluation. Its hardness, friability, and percentage drug entrapment were investigated in vitro, including its dissolution. The estimated parameters were all within pharmacopoeial limits. To treat fungal infections, controlled-release tablets containing itraconazole nanosponges are used as a targeted delivery system to circumvent antibiotic resistance. This method is promising for treating infections caused by intracellular pathogens and strains immune to antifungal treatment because nanosponges can enter host cells via endocytosis and deliver drugs intracellularly.

Keywords: Controlled-release tablets, Itraconazole, Drug resistant fungi, Nanosponges, Targeted drug delivery.