1* Research Scholar, Oriental University, Indore (Corresponding Author). Email: vinayakbodhankar1996@gmail.com
2 Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Oriental University, Indore
Candida albicans and Rhizopus oryzae dermal fungal infections continue to pose a clinical challenge due to increasing resistance to antifungals, systemic toxicity, and reduced dermal drug penetration. Liposomal drug delivery systems enhance bioavailability, skin permeation, targeted delivery, and combination treatment provides synergistic effects. This research aimed to formulate a liposomal gel containing lawsone and amphotericin B, and to evaluate its synergistic antifungal activity through in vitro assays and in vivo studies using female Wistar rats with experimentally induced candidiasis. The thin-film hydration method was used to prepare liposomes, which were then placed in a gel matrix composed of Carbopol 934. Clinical parameters (erythema, scaling, and lesion size) were monitored, followed by histopathological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining to monitor tissue changes. The in vitro findings supported the high effectiveness of the combination gel, which was shown by the larger zones of inhibition and a much lower minimum inhibitory concentration than monotherapy and marketed formulations, reducing by as much as four-fold MIC. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) revealed a high level of synergism with Candida albicans (0.245) and Rhizopus oryzae (0.375), as FICI values of 0.5 or less confirm synergy. In vivo study showed extensive clinical improvement (p < 0.05), and close-to-normal tissue architecture and low levels of fungus in the combination-treated groups. Overall, the outcomes highlight the improved antifungal potential of the combinational liposomal gel, suggesting its promise as an effective topical therapy for dermal fungal infections.
Keywords: Lawsone; Amphotericin B; Liposomal gel; Synergism; antifungal; Candida albicans; Rhizopus oryzae; etc.
How to cite this article: Bodhankar VR, Daniel V. Synergistic Antifungal Liposomal Gel Containing Lawsone and Amphotericin B: In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy Against Candida albicans and Rhizopus oryzae. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4): 295-309. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4.31
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None