Comparison of in vitro Antifungal Studies of Different Bifonazole Formulations with Marketed Bifonazole Formulation

• Author Details:   
• Shapali Anil Bagde
• Namrata Jadhav
• Nikhil Mali
• Manisha Karpe

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Clinical efficacy of topical antifungal therapy depends on the drug ability to penetrate into the stratum corneum (SC) and the duration of treatment. The mechanism of action for antifungal activity of the bifonazole (BFZ) is the inhibition of ergo sterol biosynthesis, an essential step in the membrane formation of fungal cells. BFZ is indicated in the treatment of superficial fungal infections of the skin such as dermatophytoses, cutaneous candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor. Thus, topical gel of bifonazole with increased bioavailability will be favorable for the treatment of fungal infections and symptomatic relief. The objective of the present work is to compare the antifungal activity of BFZ gel formulated using two drug delivery system; micro emulsion and micro sponge drug delivery system. Microemulsion was prepared by oil titration method. Quassi emulsion solvent diffusion-evaporation technique was used for the preparation of micro sponges. The formed micro emulsion and micro sponges are then incorporated into gel. In vitro antifungal activity of micro sponge based gel and micro emulsion based gel was compared using cup plate method.

Key words: Topical antifungal, micro sponge, micro emulsion, bifonazole, cup-plate method.