Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSFEROSOMES FOR FUNGAL TREATMENT

*Aditya Naik, Dr. Arun Patel, Shailendra Patel

ABSTRACT

Fungal infections of the skin are among the most common dermatological disorders and are often associated with itching, inflammation, redness, and discomfort. Conventional topical antifungal therapies frequently suffer from poor skin penetration, limited drug retention, and reduced patient compliance, leading to inadequate therapeutic outcomes. Transferosomes are ultra-deformable vesicular drug delivery systems composed of phospholipids and edge activators that enhance drug permeation through the skin barrier. The present study focuses on the development and characterization of transferosomes for improved antifungal treatment. Transferosomal formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration method with suitable phospholipids, surfactants, and antifungal drugs. The prepared vesicles were evaluated forvesicle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, morphology, drug content, and in vitro drug release. Further studies including permeability analysis, stability studies, and antifungal activity were also performed. The optimized transferosomal formulation demonstrated nanosized vesicles with high entrapment efficiency, enhanced skin permeation, controlled drug release, and significant antifungal activity compared to conventional formulations. The results suggest that transferosomes can serve as an effective and promising carrier system for topical antifungal therapy by improving drug penetration, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance while minimizing systemic side effects.

Keywords: Transferosomes; Antifungal therapy; Vesicular drug delivery; Skin permeation; Topical delivery; Entrapment efficiency; Nanocarrier; Fungal infection; Controlled drug release; Dermatological formulation.