Promising Antifungal Potential of Engineered Non-ionic Surfactant-Based Vesicles: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a corneal infection caused by different fungal species. It treated the topical application of natamycin (NAT). Nevertheless, this approach faces many limitations like toxic effects, frequent dosing, resistance, and patient discomfort. The present research reports development trimethyl chitosan (TMC) coated mucoadhesive cationic niosomes modified thin-film hydration method. TMC was synthesized using one-step carbodiimide method characterized 1H-NMR degree quaternization (53.74 ± 1.06%). NAT, cholesterol (CHOL), span 60 (Sp60), dicetyl phosphate (DCP) were used to prepare which incubated with obtain NAT loaded (MCNNs). MCNNs showed spherical shape 1031.12 14.18 nm size (PDI below 0.3) 80.23 5.28% entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release studies gradual from as compared uncoated niosomes. MIC assay disk diffusion revealed promising in antifungal potential similar marketed formulation. For investigating vivo performance, ocular retention pharmacokinetics, irritation, ulcer healing performed rabbit model. Mucoadhesive property prolonged local improved safety efficacy suggesting that developed could be an emerging system for effective treatment keratitis.