L.P.P. Borelli, L.L. Tundisi, G.B. dos Santos, J.A. Ataide, A.F. Jozala, P.G. Mazzola
UNICAMP,
Brazil
Keywords: nanocellulose, terbenafine, topical delivery
Summary:
Dermatomycosis are fungal skin infections that have got more frequent over the past decades. It is possible to treat these mycoses via oral or systemic, however local treatment offers several advantages such as reduced toxic effects like hepatotoxicity and also decreased risk of drug interactions. Terbinafine is one of the most indicated drugs for dermatomycosis, it mechanism of action includes cell disruption by interfering with membrane sterol, leading to apoptosis. It is a lipophilic agent that tends to accumulate in skin, nails and fat tissue and it is currently in the market as tablets, spray and gel. One of the complications of dermatomycosis is the skin wound, once it requires adequate conditions for healing, like humidity vapor transmission, fluid affinity, mechanical stability and well-balanced liquid retention and absorption, which the bandages that are often uses are not able to offer. The aim of this study is to develop a medical dispositive capable of delivering drugs as well as offering ideal conditions for wound healing. For that, membranes of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) are loaded with the antifungal agent terbinafine. BNC is an interesting material and has gotten more attention lately due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, unique morphology and its potential to be used as a drug delivery system. First challenge was to load BNCs, a hydrophilic vehicle, with a liposoluble drug. To assess this problem a solvent system was developed composed of phosphate buffer, polysorbate and propylene glycol. Loading efficiency was carried to evaluate the BNC membranes capacity of carrying terbinafine solution. The samples collected had concentrations determined in a UV spectrophotometer at 283 nm. Results showed a 42.1% loading efficiency, indicating potential to use BNC as part of a topical antifungal formulation.