Background: Itraconazole is an effective antifungal agent; however, improving ‎its formulation as a topical agent is necessary due to its limited skin penetration ‎and duration of action. The present study aims to improve the efficacy of ‎antifungal treatments for skin infections by developing and studying itraconazole ‎‎(TCZ) in a prolonged-release niosomal gel (NSM-Gel) formulation. ‎Methods: TCZ‑loaded NSM-Gel was formulated using a thin film hydration ‎technique utilizing various non-ionic surfactants (tweens and spans). The TCZ ‎niosomal gels' different formulae were assessed for pH, entrapment efficiency ‎‎(EE%), particle size (PS), and polydispersity Index (PDI). Formula (TN4), which ‎was selected as the best formula, was further examined for zeta potential (ZP), ‎in-vitro ‎release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), physical stability study, ‎and in-vitro antifungal efficacy. Results: the EE% for the developed NSM-Gel is satisfactory (86.41 – 98.44%), ‎PS between 4.12 and 8.17 µm, and PDI between 0.22 and 0.39. The release of ‎TCZ from the NSM-Gel provided an appropriate prolonged release effect. TN4 ‎had an elevated EE% with a delayed release profile (100.00% ± 1.25% after ‎‎18hrs). The results revealed the existence of vesicles characterized by a spherical ‎morphology. Physical stability studies of formula (TN4) showed good physical ‎characteristics. Furthermore, TN4 demonstrated superior antifungal activity ‎against Candida albicans, as evidenced by a larger inhibition zone than the ‎commercial product Venzole® gel 1% (2.40 vs. 1.50 cm). ‎
Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated the applicability of the NSM-Gel ‎in achieving the expected prolonged release effect for transdermal TCZ ‎administration in healing fungal infections.‎. (Style=ANU_Abstract)

Background: Itraconazole is an effective antifungal agent; however, improving ‎its formulation as a topical agent is necessary due to its limited skin penetration ‎and duration of action. The present study aims to improve the efficacy of ‎antifungal treatments for skin infections by developing and studying itraconazole ‎‎(TCZ) in a prolonged-release niosomal gel (NSM-Gel) formulation. ‎Methods: TCZ‑loaded NSM-Gel was formulated using a thin film hydration ‎technique utilizing various non-ionic surfactants (tweens and spans). The TCZ ‎niosomal gels' different formulae were assessed for pH, entrapment efficiency ‎‎(EE%), particle size (PS), and polydispersity Index (PDI). Formula (TN4), which ‎was selected as the best formula, was further examined for zeta potential (ZP), ‎in-vitro ‎release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), physical stability study, ‎and in-vitro antifungal efficacy. Results: the EE% for the developed NSM-Gel is satisfactory (86.41 – 98.44%), ‎PS between 4.12 and 8.17 µm, and PDI between 0.22 and 0.39. The release of ‎TCZ from the NSM-Gel provided an appropriate prolonged release effect. TN4 ‎had an elevated EE% with a delayed release profile (100.00% ± 1.25% after ‎‎18hrs). The results revealed the existence of vesicles characterized by a spherical ‎morphology. Physical stability studies of formula (TN4) showed good physical ‎characteristics. Furthermore, TN4 demonstrated superior antifungal activity ‎against Candida albicans, as evidenced by a larger inhibition zone than the ‎commercial product Venzole® gel 1% (2.40 vs. 1.50 cm). ‎
Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated the applicability of the NSM-Gel ‎in achieving the expected prolonged release effect for transdermal TCZ ‎administration in healing fungal infections.‎. (Style=ANU_Abstract)