Author(s):
Krithi S P, Melanie Ashel Dsouza, Murari Upadhyay, Sneh Priya
Email(s):
snehpriya123@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00474 
Address:
Krithi S P1, Melanie Ashel Dsouza1, Murari Upadhyay2, Sneh Priya1*
1Department of Pharmaceutics, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore-575018, Karnataka, India.
2Father Muller College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mangalore-575018, Karnataka, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 7,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
This research aimed to enhance the transdermal permeation of Tolnaftate, a poorly water-soluble drug that uses a Cyclodextrin-based novel drug delivery system to improve the solubility and penetration of the drug. The phase solubility profile showed that the solubility of Tolnaftate was significantly increased in the presence of ß-Cyclodextrin (ß-CD). Tolnaftate/ß-CD inclusion complex was prepared by three different methods, such as kneading, co-precipitation, and freeze-drying. This complex was confirmed using UV-visible spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This complex was used to prepare topical gel and compared with Tolnaftate gel only. The evaluation of the prepared gel was conducted by measuring the physical appearance, pH, viscosity, washability, spreadability, and drug content and in vitro and ex vivo studies on pig skin using a Franz diffusion cell. The cumulative amount of drug that permeated after 480 minutes, flux, and permeability coefficient were evaluated. Studies of stability were done over two months. According to the results, freeze-dried products showed better complexation. The release profile revealed that the percentage release of the drug after 480 minutes was greater for suspension than for gel. Good linearity was observed for the final gel formulation, which fits well Higuchi’s model (R2 > 0.99). In contrast with a pure drug, plain gel, and gel containing tolnaftate/ß-CD inclusion complex, the inclusion complex-containing solution provided a significantly higher amount of drug, steady state flux, and permeability coefficient into the skin. The Results showed that inclusion complexation with ß-Cyclodextrin improved the solubility of Tolnaftate, also enhance the permeability and extend tolnaftate’s pharmacological effect.
Cite this article:
Krithi S P, Melanie Ashel Dsouza, Murari Upadhyay, Sneh Priya. Enhanced Topical Delivery of Tolnaftate Via Β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: Formulation and Characterization. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(7):3333-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00474
Cite(Electronic):
Krithi S P, Melanie Ashel Dsouza, Murari Upadhyay, Sneh Priya. Enhanced Topical Delivery of Tolnaftate Via Β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: Formulation and Characterization. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(7):3333-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00474 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-7-61
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