Experimental research on fungal inhibition using dissolving microneedles of terbinafine hydrochloride nanoemulsion for beta-1,3-glucanase
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 6/6/2025
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Summary
Researchers developed a new patch treatment for nail fungus using tiny dissolving needles that deliver antifungal medication directly into the skin near infected nails. The patch combines two active ingredients that work together to kill fungus and break down protective biofilm layers that make fungal infections hard to treat. Testing showed the patch was safe, effective, and delivered much more medication to the infected area compared to traditional creams or pills.
Background
Onychomycosis is a fungal disease with high transmission and low recovery rates. Current treatments have limitations including poor skin penetration with topical applications and adverse effects with oral medications. Dissolving microneedles represent an innovative delivery method to overcome these challenges.
Objective
This study designed dual-loaded dissolving microneedle patches containing β-1,3-glucanase and terbinafine hydrochloride nanoemulsion to treat onychomycosis by directly delivering antifungal agents through the skin barrier to the nail matrix area.
Results
The microneedles exhibited 98% penetration rate with good safety profiles and no skin irritation. At 72 hours, cumulative release was 78.74% for the dual-loaded formulation versus 49.52% for terbinafine alone. The formulation showed minimum inhibitory concentration of 512 μg/mL and effectively inhibited fungal biofilm formation and cell wall synthesis.
Conclusion
The dual-loaded dissolving microneedle patch provides an innovative treatment strategy for onychomycosis by bypassing the stratum corneum barrier and delivering antifungal agents directly to infected nail tissue, offering improved efficacy over conventional topical and oral treatments.
- Published in:Nanoscale Advances,
- Study Type:Experimental Research,
- Source: PMC12183721, PMID: 40556857, DOI: 10.1039/d5na00163c