Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to formulate a protocol for development of a low cost, easily manufactured antifungal nanoparticle formulation using HPMC-P as a polymer. Terbinafine Hydrochloride an FDA approved antifungal drug was coated with HPMC-P polymer to form Nano particles which were suspended in a liquid formulation of a homogeneous solution of Tween 80 and Water. Various parameters such as Drug concentration, Polymer concentration, Surfactant Concentration, Organic Solvent Concentration, Temperature of Solution, Stirring Speed and Stirring time were varied to find the most stable and homogeneous drug loaded formulation. Further characterization by Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Particle Size Analysis and Zeta Potential, UV Spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Analysis was performed on the best formulations to find out their morphology, stability, effectiveness and determine the most stable formulation. Further in-vitro drug release studies and in-vitro antifungal assay was performed on the formulations. The liquid formulation was preserved into a Carbopol-937 gel formulation for In-vitro comparative studies in antifungal assay. In-vitro studies showed that Nano-particles showed a more effective response in Gel form as compared to the liquid formulation. The liquid formulation of nanoparticles that showed the best result was milky white in colour, with particle size of 202.9 nm, a poly dispersity index of 0.13, zeta potential of -20, SEM results showing formation of spherical Nanocapsules and FTIR analyses showing bonds found on the surface of the polymer being present on the surface of the nanoparticles confirming that the polymer formed the outer core of the nanoparticles. UV spectrophotometric analysis conducted at 238nm showed an encapsulation efficiency of 85% and in-vitro release studies showed an initial burst of drug after 4h and then a smaller burst after 30h until the release became constant
