Improved Voriconazole Topical Delivery by Nanoparticles (Minireview)

Abstract

Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal drug used to treat invasive fungal infections including candidiasis, aspergillosis, and certain emerging fungal infections. Voriconazole demonstrates low water solubility. Therefore, drug solubilization is necessary for effective topical delivery. Nano-strategy may overcome its poor aqueous solubility as well as controlled drug release at action site, reduction of total dose, avoidance of systemic absorption and dosage form retention on skin. In topical antifungal administration, drug should pass outermost layer of skin; stratum corneum to reach lower layers, particularly into follicular epithelium. Nano-formulations including colloidal systems, vesicular carriers, and nanoparticles may play a major role for enhancing antifungals permeation profile. Present review surveys key experiments with voriconazole nano-based formulations used in superficial fungal infections treatment.