New Formulation and Characterization of Topical Films of Tioconazole and Evaluation of Their Antifungal Therapy

Purpose: New formulation of Scleroglucan (Sclg) films loaded with tioconazole, a medication typically applied for dermal treatments prepared. The feasibility of that treatment relies on the penetration of medications through the target layers of the skin in effective concentrations.

Methods: Dynamic and mechanical characterization and swelling studies of the novel delivery system were analysed. An aqueous solution of Sclg (Cp=1% w/v) and glycerol (2% w/v) was prepared and kept at room temperature under magnetic stirring for 72 hrs. Tioconazole previously solubilised in Labrasol, was added to the polymer/glycerol solution. 4 ml of solution was poured in a plastic plate. The films were dried at 40°C for 1 hr and then allowed to dry at room temperature (about 25°C) for a week. Translucent films were obtained.

The fungal strain used to test the film are CO23 sensitive to drugs, CO23 RFLC resistant to fluconazole, CO23 RFK resistant to micafungin, ATCC standard strain.

Results: The water uptake of the films significantly increased up to 24 hrs. The optical microscope films images show that the presence of the drug did not significantly influence the appearance of the samples. The in vitro studies demonstrated the perceptible fungal activity of the new formulation against Candida albicans infections.

Conclusion: The patches showed antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. An evident inhibition zone diameter, about 40 mm, for the strains sensitive to azoles (CO23 RFK and CO23) in comparison to strain resistant to fluconazole (CO23 RFLC) was observed. After 48 hours the inhibition zone diameters were reduced of about 6-7 mm in comparison to those observed after 24 hours of incubation.