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Onychomycosis: Current Understanding and Strategies for Enhancing Drug Delivery into Human Nail Tissue
Rabia Aslam1, Talib Hussain2, Abid Mehmood Yousaf2
1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Background:
Onychomycosis is by far the most common finger or toe nail fungal infectious disease caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytic molds or yeast. It accounts for 50% of the total nail disorders, and affects patients physically, socially, and psychologically and can seriously influence their quality of life.
Objectives:
Oral antifungals are routinely used to treat the nail fungal disease; however oral therapy is associated with severe side effects and longer treatment times. In recent years, drug delivery directly into the nail or nail bed has gained attention and various topical products have been tested that can cure the disease when applied topically or transungually. Nevertheless, drug penetration into and through the nail is not straightforward and requires chemicals to improve its permeability or by applying physical stress to promote drug penetration into and through the nail. This lucid review presents an overview of various causes of onychomycosis, current therapeutic approaches, and efforts aimed at increasing the permeability of nails through various strategies such as chemical, physical and mechanical methods for permeation enhancement.
Conclusion:
Various strategies have been proposed for the treatment of onychomycosis, however, much research into a more precise and effective therapy is still required.
Insights
Onychomycosis, a common nail fungal infection, is difficult to treat. This review explores strategies to enhance drug delivery into nails, aiming for more effective topical treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Pharmaceutics
Background:
- Onychomycosis is the most prevalent nail disorder, affecting 50% of all nail conditions.
- Fungal nail infections cause significant physical, social, and psychological distress, impacting patient quality of life.
- Caused by dermatophytes, molds, or yeast, onychomycosis requires effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes and current therapeutic approaches for onychomycosis.
- To explore methods for enhancing drug penetration into and through the nail for topical and transungual delivery.
- To provide an overview of chemical, physical, and mechanical strategies for improving nail permeability.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of onychomycosis causes and treatments.
- Analysis of drug delivery strategies for nail fungal infections.
- Examination of permeation enhancement techniques for nail penetration.
Main Results:
- Oral antifungal therapy is common but associated with side effects and long treatment durations.
- Direct drug delivery into the nail or nail bed shows promise for topical and transungual treatments.
- Improving nail permeability is crucial for effective topical onychomycosis treatment.
Conclusions:
- Various strategies exist for onychomycosis treatment, but further research is needed.
- Enhanced drug penetration into the nail is key for developing more precise and effective therapies.
- Continued investigation into novel treatment modalities is essential for managing this common fungal infection.
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