Olive Oil Based Organogels for Effective Topical Delivery of Fluconazole: In-vitro Antifungal Study

The objective of the study was to formulate olive oil based organogels for the topical application of fluconazole (FLZ), to ensure the efficient delivery of the drug deeper in to the skin layers.

Methods: Nine formulations developed by hot-melt method using olive oil, sorbitan monostearate (SMS) and FLZ. Prepared formulations characterized for macro evaluations, pH, spreadibility, viscosity, gel-sol transition, in-vitro diffusion study. Further optimized formulation evaluated for ex-vivo percutaneous permeation, in-vitro antifungal studies and stability studies by similarity index. Results: The results of evaluated parameters ensure the stability and effectiveness of the prepared olive oil based organogels. In-vitro diffusion studied reflects decrease in drug release with increase in surfactant concentration due to increase in viscosity. Moreover, ex-vivo permeation studies revealed that the permeation of FLZ was enhanced for optimized formulations (F6) as compared to the marketed gel formulation. Further, the optimized formulation exhibits the broad zone of inhibition against fungal strains in comparison to control and marketed product during in-vitro antifungal study.

Conclusion: The olive oil based organogels formulation shown the enhanced permeation of FLZ from organogel network structure with good antifungal activity as compared to the marketed formulation. Henceforth, the FLZ organogel formulations could be used topically for the effective treatment of fungal infection.