title: Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of microsponge delivery system for facilitated fungal therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The rationale behind present research vocation was to develop and investigate a novel microsponge based gel as a topical carrier for the prolonged release and cutaneous drug deposition of fluconazole (FLZ); destined for facilitated fungal therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microsponges were prepared using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit S-100. In the direction of optimization, the effect of formulation variables (drug-polymer ratio and amount of emulsifier) and diverse factors affecting physical characteristics of microsponge were investigated as well. Fabricated microsponges were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform-infrared, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, and also evaluated for drug content, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and in vitro antifungal activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compatibility studies results reflected no sign of any chemical interaction between the drug and polymers used. Whereas, varied drug-polymer ratios and emulsifier concentration indicated significant effect on production yield, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, particle size and drug release. Spherical microsponges with a porous surface and 29.327 ± 0.31 μm mean particle size were evident from SEM micrographs. In vitro release outcomes, from microsponge loaded gels depicted that F1 formulation was more efficient to give extended drug release of 85.38% at the end of 8 h, while conventional formulation by releasing 83.17% of drug got exhausted incredibly earlier at the end of 4 h merely. Moreover, microsponge gels demonstrated substantial spreadability and extrudability along with promising antifungal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fabricated microsponges would be impending pharmaceutical topical carriers of FLZ and a leading alternative to conventional therapy for efficient, safe and facilitated eradication of fungal infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail-81442, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Afrasim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Tamal K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Deb
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Riyaz Ali M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Osmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Rohit R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bhosale
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Umme
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hani
keywords: Drug delivery; fluconazole; gel; microsponges; sustained release