Abstract

Various nano-based strategies for increasing the efficiency of topical drugs have offered the potential advantage of miconazole skin delivery. Miconazole nitrate is an antifungal drug with a drawback of poor skin-penetration in the treatment of deep seated fungal skin infections. Drug entrapment in nanoparticles such as ethosome, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nano structured lipid carriers (NLCs) can facilitate localized drug delivery and remove the skin barriers for an efficient drug delivery. Different nano-formulations have been recently examined for the controlled release, retention and permeation enhancement of miconazole in skin. The present overview focuses on novel nano-based formulation approaches employed to improve miconazole penetration through skin for the treatment of fungal infections.

Keywords: Miconazole nitrate, antifungal, nanocarriers, topical delivery, skin-penetration, permeation.