A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON KETOCONAZOLE-LOADED NANOSPONGES IN NANOEMULGEL FORMULATIONS FOR ENHANCED TOPICAL ANTIFUNGAL THERAPY

Fungal infections pose a serious dermatologic problem, and cases of superficial and systemic mycoses are also increasing all over the world. Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum imidazole antifungal agent that is commonly used in the treatment of fungus but has limited aqueous solubility, poor skin penetration and can cause irritation when applied in the classical topical preparations. To address these drawbacks, new innovations have used nanosponges which is a new polymeric delivery system in conjunction with nanoemulgel formulations to improve the solubility of drugs, penetration in the skin, and controlled release.^[1,2] This review aims at the overall design of loading ketoconazole nanosponges into nanoemulgels, the formulation strategies, methods of preparation, the physicochemical characterization, antifungal activity and its clinical application in the future.^[4,5] Research indicates an increase in bioavailability, prolonged drug release, antifungal activity and patient compliance than conventional formulations.^[5,6] The combination of nanosponges and nanoemulgels have a great potential in dermatological treatment solutions.^[2,7]