Novel drug delivery strategies for improving econazole antifungal action

Abstract

Econazole is a commonly used azole antifungal in clinical treatment of superficial fungal infections. It is generally used as conventional cream and gel preparations under the brand names of Spectazole (United States), Ecostatin (Canada), Pevaryl (Western Europe). Treatment efficiency of antifungal drugs depends on their penetration through target layers of skin at effective concentrations. Econazole's poor water solubility limits its bioavailability and antifungal effects. Therefore, formulation strategies have been examined for delivering econazole through targeted skin sites. The present overview focuses on novel nano-based formulation approaches used to improve econazole penetration through skin for treatment of superficial fungal infections.

Keywords: Drug Delivery; Econazole; Nanoparticle; Percutaneous penetration.