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. 2025 Apr 8;17(8):1004.
doi: 10.3390/polym17081004.

Development and Characterization of Polymeric Films Loaded with Terbinafine for Fungal Infection Treatment

Gabriela Biliuta  1 , Simona Petronela Gherman  2 , Raluca Ioana Baron  1 , Alexandra Bargan  3 , Lacramioara Ochiuz  2 , Cristina Gabriela Tuchilus  4 , Adrian Florin Spac  2 , Daniela Elena Zavastin  2
Affiliations

Development and Characterization of Polymeric Films Loaded with Terbinafine for Fungal Infection Treatment

Gabriela Biliuta et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Topical approaches to dermatophytosis have the advantage of targeted therapy and minimal side effects and are patient-friendly. The present study focused on obtaining thin, flexible, and transparent bioadhesive polymeric films loaded with terbinafine hydrochloride (TH), in order to be administered to the skin affected by fungal infection. Polymeric films based on pullulan (P), oxidized pullulan (T-OP), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), and glycerin were obtained by the casting and evaporation technique, and the solubility of the drug was significantly increased by micellar solubilization with Tween-80, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. Physico-chemical characterization through the FTIR technique and EDX analysis indicates the absence of strong interactions between the drug and the polymer, and the loading efficiency highlights the uniform distribution of the drug. The mechanical properties, bioadhesion, contact angle, and water sorption capacity highlight optimal adhesion parameters on the skin. In vitro studies indicate a prolonged drug release, in the first 300 min, of 80% and 60% for F2_TH and F1_TH, respectively, and the release kinetics follow the Weibull model. Significant antifungal activity was obtained for both polymeric films. The biocompatibility of the ingredients, the gentle technique for obtaining the films, and the results obtained from their analysis represent promise for their applicability in topical antifungal treatment.

Keywords: antifungal activity; bioadhesion; dermatophytosis; fungal infection; micellar solubilization; terbinafine hydrochloride; the release kinetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) ATR-FTIR spectra of P, NaCMC, TH, and F1_B, F1_TH composite films without and with TH; (b) ATR-FTIR spectra of P, T-OP, NaCMC, TH, and F2_B, F2_TH composite films without and with TH.
Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) ATR-FTIR spectra of P, NaCMC, TH, and F1_B, F1_TH composite films without and with TH; (b) ATR-FTIR spectra of P, T-OP, NaCMC, TH, and F2_B, F2_TH composite films without and with TH.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra of the composite films F1_B and F1_TH. (b) Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra of the composite films F2_B and F2_TH.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Contact angle determined with a droplet of bidistilled water on the film at ambient temperature. Mean ± SD (n = 10).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sorption/desorption isotherms for the F1_B, F1_TH, F2_B, and F2_TH films.
Figure 5
Figure 5
In vitro release profile for F1_TH and F2_TH.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Fitting the TH release profile to the Weibull model.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Fitting the TH release profile to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Antifungal activity of (a) Candida albicans ATCC 10231, (b) Candida albicans 4746, (c) Candida albicans 4763.
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