Nanotechnological interventions in dermatophytosis: from oral to topical, a fresh perspective

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The dermatophytosis are the infections, which are the most common infections worldwide, with the serious problem of high recurrence. These are characterized by invasion and multiplication of various species of dermatophytes in keratinized tissues that can affect skin, hair, and nails.

Area covered

This article aims to gather information about novel strategies for effective treatment of dermatophytosis by incorporating antifungals into nanoformulations to overcome the limitations of the conventional treatment strategies. Updates related to nanosystems and research progress regarding the animal and clinical studies are also included. The current treatment options for dermatophytosis, along with the marketed formulations and patents, are also highlighted.

Expert opinion

For treating dermatophytosis, several therapeutic interventions are available which provide good clinical cure rates, but they have some demerits, including resistance to the antifungal agents and adverse effects associated with them. In recent years, efforts have been documented to incorporate various antifungal agents into novel carriers in order to offer better therapeutic action and overcome the limitations of the conventional treatment strategies for dermatophytosis. The success has been achieved in obtaining these formulations with enhanced antifungal activity, prolonged retention of drug, improved efficacy, increased skin penetration of the drug, and sustained release of drug.

KEYWORDS:

• Dermatophytosis
• antifungal
• demerits
• nanoformulations

Article highlights

• The article provides information regarding pathophysiology of dermatophytosis and various types of dermatophyte infections.

• The currently available therapeutic interventions for the management of various dermatophyte infections include topical, systemic, and oral treatments, along with their marketed formulations.

• The difficulties encountered with these treatment strategies include the high rate of recurrence and the adverse effects associated with them.

• The article enlists the number of patents that have been granted in the field of dermatophytosis.

• The various nanoformulation delivery systems suitable for treating the disease have been discussed in detail, along with their specific advantages.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.