Poly-δ-decalactone (PDL) based nanoemulgel for topical delivery of ketoconazole and eugenol against Candida albicans

This study aimed to investigate the potential of poly-δ-decalactone (PDL) and block copolymer (methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly-δ-decalactone (mPEG-b-PDL) in the topical delivery of ketoconazole (KTZ) and eugenol (EUG) against Candida albicans. The nanoemulsion was studied for its significant factors and was optimized using the design of experiment (DOE) methodologies. A simple robust nanoprecipitation method was employed to successfully produce a nanoemulsion (KTZ-EUG-NE). The spherical globules exhibited rough surfaces, which explained the adsorption of mPEG-b-PDL over PDL. The sustained drug release effects were governed by the amorphous nature of PDL. KTZ-EUG-NE was further used to develop a 1% carbopol-940-based nanoemulgel (KTZ-EUG-NE gel). The optimal rheological and spreadability properties of the developed nanoemulgel explain the ease of topical applications. Ex vivo permeation and retention studies confirmed the accumulation of KTZ-EUG-NE at different layers of the skin when applied topically. The cytotoxicity of developed NE in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) cells depicted the utility of this newly explored nanocarrier to reduce cell toxicities of KTZ. The higher antifungal activities of KTZ-EUG-NE at 19.23-fold lower concentrations for planktonic growth and 4-fold lower concentrations for biofilm formation than coarse drugs explain the effectiveness of the developed NE.