Design, Optimization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Ethyl Cellulose Nanosponge Gel for Enhanced Cutaneous Delivery of Itraconazole

Abstract

Itraconazole (ITZ) is a potent BCS Class II triazole antifungal agent characterised by exceptionally low aqueous solubility, which limits its topical bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. The present study aimed to design, optimise, and evaluate ethyl cellulose-based nanosponge hydrogels of itraconazole prepared via the emulsion solvent diffusion technique for enhanced controlled cutaneous release. Ten formulations (F1–F10) were prepared by varying drug-to-polymer and surfactant ratios. Particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) analysis revealed nanometric dimensions ranging from 205.6 nm to 882.7 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the porous, spherical, and spongy morphology of the synthesised nanosponges. Formulation F6 exhibited the highest drug entrapment efficiency (70.6%) with an optimal particle size of 205.6 nm and PDI of 0.585. The optimised nanosponges were successfully incorporated into a Carbopol 934 hydrogel matrix containing permeation enhancers. In vitro release kinetics followed a zero-order transport mechanism with a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.9958), fitting best into the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (n = 1.1581, indicating a Super Case II transport mechanism), achieving up to 88.6% cumulative drug release. The developed nanosponge gel system presents a promising platform for enhancing the solubility, stability, and controlled topical release of Itraconazole.

How to cite this article:
Farheen F, Gour P. Design, Optimization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Ethyl Cellulose Nanosponge Gel for Enhanced Cutaneous Delivery of Itraconazole. J Adv Res Pharm Sci Pharmacol Interv 2026; 9(2):1-4.