Novel Hybrid Nanostructure Hydrogel for Treating Fungal Infections: Design and Evaluation

The aim of the current study was to fabricate and optimize lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNPs) of ketoconazole (KTZ) through ionic gelation method with chitosan as a polymer having high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and intrinsic antifungal property. Topical hydrogels have the potential to overcome the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with conventional oral dosage forms by targeting infection sites. Hence, these hybrid structures were loaded into Carbopol hydrogel for topical treatment of superficial fungal skin infections. Particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, and molecular interaction were the characteristics of the optimal nanoformulation. In addition, the physical characteristics, rheology, pH, safety, and stability profile of transdermal hydrogel were described. Assays for antifungals, in vitro and ex vivo, were used to determine whether PLNPs could be used topically. The optimized nanoparticles were found to have a mean particle size of 173 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.177. An investigation using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) did not show any molecular interactions. The Higuchi model describes the anomalous non-Fickian drug release from the matrix system, and this is also explained by the in vitro release model. Higher zones of inhibition were obtained from an in vitro antifungal experiment on Aspergillus niger in comparison to the commercially available ketoconazole gel. Hydrogel is essential for managing the pH-sensitive release at the targeted location.