The purpose of the present study was to develop and optimize sertaconazole microemulsion-loaded hydrogel (STZ ME G) to enhance the dermal delivery and skin retention of the drug. Following screening of various oils for maximum drug solubility, 12 pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using oils (Peceol, Capryol 90), surfactants (Tween 80, Cremophor EL), a cosurfactant (Transcutol P) and water. A 2 × 3 × 2 × 3 full factorial design was employed to optimize a ME of desirable characteristics. The MEs were formulated by varying the oil type, oil concentration, surfactant type and surfactant: cosurfactant ratio. Optimized ME formulae F22 [5% Peceol, 55% Tween 80: Transcutol (1:2), 40% water] and F31 [5% Peceol, 55% Cremophor EL: Transcutol (1:2), 40% water] acquired mean droplet size of 75.21 and 8.68 nm, and zeta potential of 34.65 and 24.05 mV, respectively. Since F22 showed higher STZ skin retention during ex vivo studies (686.47 μg/cm) than F31 (338.11 μg/cm); hence it was incorporated in 0.5% Carbopol 934 gel to augment STZ skin retention capability. STZ ME G exhibited higher STZ skin retention (1086.1 μg/cm) than the marketed product "Dermofix cream" (270.3 μg/cm). The antimycotic activity against C.albicans revealed increased zones of inhibition for F22 and STZ ME G (35.75 and 30.5 mm, respectively) compared to Dermofix cream (26 mm). No histopathological changes were observed following topical application of STZ ME G on rats' skin (n = 9). Overall, the obtained results confirmed that the fabricated formulation could be a promising vehicle for the dermal delivery of STZ.

Purpose Zein/phospholipid composite nanoparticles (CNPs) were developed as a delivery platform for gallic acid (GA), a polyphenolic compound with reported preclinical antifibrotic activities. However, the therapeutic applicability of GA is hampered owing to its low bioavailability and rapid clearance. Accordingly, we developed GA-loaded CNPs. The effect of their size, surface charge and targeting strategies was investigated and optimized, with the aim of enhancing their ability to deliver GA to the activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) in order to suppress hepatic fibrosis progression. Methods Different CNP systems were prepared and characterized with regard to their particle size, zeta potential, and GA entrapment efficiency (EE%). Also, they were statistically optimized via response surface methodology. The optimized systems were investigated with regard to their in vitro GA release, in vitro efficacy on aHSCs, and in vivo biodistribution in healthy rats. Results The GA-loaded cationic CNPs coupled with vitamin A (GA-CACNP/VA; 192 nm) showed high GA EE% (60% w/w), highest cellular internalization via active targeting, and more selective hepatic distribution, relative to free GA solution, GA-loaded anionic, and GA-loaded cationic systems. Furthermore, GA-CACNP/VA markedly triggered the apoptosis of aHSCs, repressed collagen deposition, and inhibited HSCs’ activation to a lesser extent. Conclusion The GA-CACNP/VA was shown to be a promising candidate for specific and controlled delivery of GA to aHSCs, which may provide an effective antifibrotic therapeutic approach.

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