This work aimed to develop water-based formulations for
onychomycosis topical treatment using
micelles of small pegylated
surfactants associated with α-
cyclodextrin (αCD) to deliver
terbinafine to the nail. Kolliphor® RH40 (RH40) and Gelucire® 48/16 (GEL) single and mixed
micelles (RH40:GEL 1:1) were prepared. αCD was added to the
surfactants dispersions to form poly(pseudo)
rotaxanes (PPR). Formulations were characterized in terms of drug solubilization (3 to 34-fold increase), particle size (9-11 nm) and Z-potential (+0.3 - +1.96 mV), blood compatibility (non-hemolytic), rheological behavior (solid-like viscoelastic properties after 5-10% αCD addition), drug release and interaction with the nail plate. GEL
micelles and
surfactant-10% αCD PPRs notably hydrated the nail plate. The high viscosity of PPR led to a slower drug release, except for RH40:GEL +10% αCD that surprisingly released
terbinafine faster. The RH40:GEL +10% αCD formulation delivered twice more amount of
terbinafine to deeper regions of nail plate compared to other formulations. The results evidenced the potential of PPR formed by small pegylated
surfactants as a water-based formulation for nail drug delivery.