Although the systemic administration of terbinafine is quite well tolerated, topical treatment of the local infections is often preferred. New formulation strategies in topical antifungal therapy represent the polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). We successfully employed the originally synthesized PLGA derivatives of branched architectures of various molar masses, branching ratio, and high number of terminal hydroxyl or carboxyl groups for compounding of terbinafine loaded nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method. Employing the polymers with tailored properties allowed us to formulate the NPs with desired particle size, loading capacity for drug, mucoadhesive properties, and drug release profile. The hydrophobicity and the polyester concentration revealed the main impact on the NPs size ranging from 100 to 600 nm. The stability of the nanosuspension is demonstrated by zeta potential >25 mV, and polydispersity index values <0.2. We used terbinafine in its less dissolved form of the base to increase the drug loading and delay the release. Cationic surfactant as stabilizer give the NPs high positive surface charge enhancing the adhesion to the mucosal surfaces. All formulations provided prolonged sustained release of terbinafine for several days. Antimicrobial potential has been proven by agar-well diffusion method.

• Keywords
• Cationic nanoparticles, PLGA, branched polyesters, drug release, nanoprecipitation, terbinafine,
• MeSH
• Antifungal Agents administration & dosage   chemistry   MeSH
• Administration, Topical MeSH
• Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions MeSH
• Cations MeSH
• Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer chemistry   MeSH
• Nanoparticles chemistry   MeSH
• Drug Carriers chemistry   MeSH
• Surface-Active Agents chemistry   MeSH
• Surface Properties MeSH
• Drug Compounding methods   MeSH
• Solubility MeSH
• Terbinafine administration & dosage   chemistry   MeSH
• Drug Liberation MeSH
• Particle Size MeSH
• Viscosity MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antifungal Agents MeSH
• Cations MeSH
• Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer MeSH
• Drug Carriers MeSH
• Surface-Active Agents MeSH
• Terbinafine MeSH