Development and Evaluation of a Polymer-Based Topical Emulgel of Luliconazole for Effective Management of Superficial Fungal Infections Especially Tinea Pedis
Abstract: Background: Luliconazole is a strong topical imidazole antifungal with poor water solubility that may limit medication availability from traditional formulations. The objective of the present work was to create and analyze a polymeric luliconazole emulgel with enhanced physicochemical stability, topical performance, drug release, skin permeability and antifungal effectiveness. Methods: Drug-excipient compatibility was evaluated by FTIR and DSC and luliconazole was measured by UV spectrophotometry at 296 nm. Solubility screening and necessary hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (RHLB) assessment were carried out to optimize the Tween® 20/Span® 80 emulsifier system. The physicochemical, rheological, mechanical and colloidal characteristics of HPMC and Sepineo™ P600 based emulgels were studied. The in vitro release was evaluated using Strat-M® membrane and the ex vivo penetration with pig ear skin. The antifungal effectiveness against Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum and preliminary stability of 3 months were investigated. Results: The analytical technique was linear in the range of 2 to 12 µg/mL (R2 = 0.9999). The stable emulgels were obtained using Sepineo™ P600 and S2 (3.5% w/w) was selected as the best formulation. The S2 exhibited pH 5.04, viscosity 3.89 Pa?s, drug content 100.9%, globule size 612±34 nm, PDI 0.318±0.041 and zeta potential ?28.4±2.1 mV. In vitro drug release and ex vivo permeability were found to be 96.19 ± 1.12% and 99.13 ± 0.78% at 8 h, respectively. Inhibition zones were 24.6±1.1 and 22.9±1.3 mm and MIC and MFC values were 0.98 and 1.95 µg/mL. S2 was steady physically for 3 months. Conclusion: The S2 based on Sepineo™ P600 showed good stability, release, penetration, and antifungal performance, enabling its continued development as a luliconazole topical delivery system.
Keywords: Luliconazole, Emulgel, Sepineo ™ P600, Skin permeation, Antifungal activity
How to Cite?: K. Karthika, G. Mariyappan, J. Karthi, Prakash Murugan, "Development and Evaluation of a Polymer-Based Topical Emulgel of Luliconazole for Effective Management of Superficial Fungal Infections Especially Tinea Pedis", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1556-1568, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261022143957, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261022143957