Antifungal Nail Lacquer Loaded with Extract of Cissus quadrangularis for Treatment of Onychomycosis

Objectives: An attempt was made to prepare transparent nail lacquer containing natural antifungal agent obtained from extract of whole plant of Cissus quadrangularis for the treatment of onychomycosis. Methods: The extract of C. quadrangularis was evaluated for antifungal study against Candida albicans. Minimum inhibitory concentration of extract against C. albicans was performed to get the amount of extract to be loaded in the nail lacquer. Extract was further evaluated for phytochemical study such as test for steroids, glycoside and flavonoids. Nail lacquer was prepared by using nitrocellulose, ethyl cellulose, ethyl acetate, salicylic acid, dibutyl phthalate, extract of C. quadrangularis and acetone with continuous stirring. The nail lacquer of fluconazole was prepared and compared with formulation. Formulations of nail lacquer were evaluated for drying time, gloss, nonvolatile content, water resistance, viscosity, smoothness of flow. In-vitro transungual permeation study was performed through goat nail. Results: Phytoconstituents such as flavonoid and quinine were found present in the extract. Antifungal activity of nail lacquer and fluconazole formulation against C. albicans was found good (zone of inhibition of 20±2mm at 50mg/ml, 16±1mm for 40mg/ml respectively). Drying time of formulation was 62-70 s with visually seen glossiness of formulation. Formulation of nail lacquer showed good non-volatile content, water resistance and viscosity with smoothness of flow. In-vitro permeation of F7 formulation showed 90.9% of permeation which was faster within 24 hr. Conclusion: Thus, C. quadrangularis extract loaded antifungal nail lacquer could be a good choice for treatment of onchomycosis rather than fluconazole.