Treatment of cutaneous candidiasis through fluconazole encapsulated cubosomes

Cubosomes encapsulating fluconazole were prepared by emulsification method and characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, SEM, in vitro release, skin irritation studies, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cubosomes prepared were 257.2 ± 2.94 nm in size and with drug entrapment efficiency of 66.2 ± 2.69 %. The prepared formulation was characterized for surface morphology by SEM analysis which revealed their smooth surface. The cumulative percentage of fluconazole from cubosomes permeated via dialysis membrane (molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) 12-14 kD) showed 76.86 % cumulative drug release, while fluconazole solution showed release up to 91.04 % in 24 h in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 6.5), and sustained release is obtained after 24 h in case of cubosomes. The animal studies also revealed that the cubosomes are non-irritant and have sustained antifungal activity.