Poloxamer-Stabilized Topical Miconazole Nitrate-Loaded Microemulsion: Formulation Design and Characterization

Miconazole nitrate-loaded microemulsion based on Tween 80 and propylene glycol, castor oil and water with and without Poloxamer 407 was prepared and characterized with respect to drug content, stability, antifungal, and physicochemical properties and ex vivo drug release using a modified Franz diffusion apparatus. Results obtained revealed homogeneous and stable microemulsions with excellent physicochemical properties, permeation coefficients and fluxes, and increased in vitro antifungal activity (approximate to 1.2 times) against clinically isolated Candida albicans when compared to a commercial topical miconazole (Fungusol) solution. Poloxamer-stabilized microemulsion could offer a better and more reliable approach of delivering miconazole than both the unstabilized and Fungusol formulations.