FORMULA COMPARISON OF NANOEMULSION AND CREAM CONTAINING MICONAZOLE NITRATE: PENETRATION TEST USING FRANZ DIFFUSION CELLS AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY TEST ON Tricophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis AND Candida albicans

Miconazole nitrate is one of the antifungal agents applied to the skin. Miconazole nitrate has a low bioavailability if it implements for oral treatment due to poor solubility and has low absorption, therefore miconazole nitrate implemented as the antifungal agent for topically. In addition, the main problem of a drug is the treatment of topical for poor skin penetration ability. The aim of the current study was the comparison of the penetration and the antifungal activity of both dosages. Nanoemulsion and cream containing miconazole nitrate were made in three formulas namely 1%, 1.5%, 2% and one formula as a blank (without miconazole nitrate). The nanoemulsion is formulated with a low energy emulsification method. The formula was then evaluated for its particle size, drug release profile and antifungal activity test against Tricophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Candida albicans. The particle size of nanoemulsion is 102.36 nm, 112.23 nm and 117.52 nm sequentially. The in-vitro release profile of nanoemulsion is between 65.81% to 71.09% while the cream is between 35.94% to 41.84% for 12 hours. Nanoemulsion contains miconazole nitrate 2% has an effective effect for the Cream 2% that number includes inhibit zone 28.2±1.15 mm for Tricophyton mentagrophytes, 21.0±0.77 mm for Microsporum canis and 23.7±0.90 mm for Candida albicans. From the current study, it can be concluded that nanoemulsion dosage forms result in penetration and antifungal activity is better than cream dosage forms. Preparations nanoemulsion 2% resulted in improving the most penetration and antifungal activity.