Simultaneous formulation of terbinafine and salvia monoterpenes into chitosan hydrogel with testing biological activity of corresponding dialysates against C. albicans yeast.

This work was aimed at a progressive formulation of drugs into chitosan hydrogels. It was taken into consideration that a therapeutic effect of the drugs could be enhanced by a combination of natural compounds with chemical (synthetic) drugs. In this work, sage essential oil (SEO) bicyclic monoterpenes with antiflogistic, antiseptic, and antimycotic properties were combined with terbinafine (TB) having a strong antimycotic activity. Detail optimization of the hydrogel-drugs composition (SEO monoterpenes, TB, chitosan, and polysorbate 80 concentrations), based on permeation experiment and UV absorption/GC-MS analysis of permeated species (eucalyptol, camphor, borneol, thujone, TB) in dialysates, was made. Concerning the active drugs formulation, an optimum concentration of TB was set at the level providing maximum release of the SEO monoterpenes. In vitro activity of the dialysates from the optimized hydrogel was tested against Candida albicans showing that a minimum inhibition concentration was significantly exceeded. The experimental results revealed that the chitosan hydrogel was suitable for the simultaneous formulation of the natural drugs (SEO) with chemical drug (TB) resulting in the preparation with acceptable stability, required gel properties, and significant biological activity. Such preparation should be effective in an antimycotic dermal use.