DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POSACONAZOLE AND ALOIN CONTAINING NOVEL VESICLE SYSTEM FOR ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITY

Background: Posaconazole is a potent triazole antifungal with poor aqueous solubility, while Aloin from Aloe vera exhibits complementary antifungal and wound-healing properties. Co-delivery in a liposomal gel may enhance solubility, stability, and skin penetration. Objective: To design and evaluate a novel liposomal vesicle system co-encapsulating Posaconazole and Aloin for topical antifungal therapy. Methods: Liposomes were prepared by thin-film hydration using varying ratios of soya lecithin and cholesterol, followed by incorporation into a carbopol-based gel. Formulations were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, viscosity, pH, spreadability, in-vitro drug release, and antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans. Results: The optimized formulation (LDDS3) showed the smallest particle size (68.07 nm), highest zeta potential (−15.8 mV), and entrapment efficiency (93.22%). The gel exhibited suitable viscosity (4836 ± 0.26 cps), pH (5.6) and good spreadability. The in-vitro release followed Higuchi kinetics (R² = 0.9701), indicating diffusion-controlled release. The liposomal gel displayed a concentration-dependent inhibition zone (up to 15 mm) against Candida albicans. Conclusion: Co-encapsulation of Posaconazole and Aloin in liposomal gel significantly enhanced solubility, stability, and antifungal efficacy, suggesting its potential as a novel topical delivery system for cutaneous fungal infections.