Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | Vol 56 | Issue 4 (Suppl) | Oct-Dec, 2022 S651 Original Artcle www.ijper.org Design, Development, and Characterization of Film Forming Spray as Novel Antifungal Topical Formulation for Superfcial Fungal Infections Mrunal Desai, Ajeet M Godbole*, Sandesh Somnache, Pankaj Gajare, Arti Pednekar, Siddhi Manerikar, Krutika Kudaskar, Vivek Naik Department of Pharmaceutics, PES’s Rajaram and Tarabai Bandekar College of Pharmacy, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa, INDIA. ABSTRACT Introduction: Miconazole Nitrate is prescribed as an antifungal agent in conventional dosage forms. To mask the disadvantages of sticky creams and their tendency to rub off, an intelligent dosage regimen needs to be designed. Objectives: The present study aimed to design, develop, and characterize Miconazole Nitrate (0.5% w/v) film-forming spray for the treatment of superficial fungal infections in nails, such as Tenia and Onychomycosis. Materials and Methods: Eutectic mixture of Menthol and Camphor in the ratio of 1:1 was used to enhance permeation and solubilize film-forming polymers, i.e., Eudragit L-100 and Ethyl Cellulose, and provide a cooling effect. Results: The prepared formulations were evaluated for various critical parameters, and based on the results obtained, Formulation F1 exhibited a drug content of 91.82% and 83.75% of % Cumulative drug release through Eggshell membrane and was found to be the best-suited formulation. Formulation F1 was further chosen for carrying out in-vitro permeation studies through shed snakeskin of Ophiophagus Hannah (Cobra), which gave % a cumulative drug release of 72.453 %, exhibited pH of 5.8 and evaporation time of four minutes yielding a non-sticky film. The prepared formulations were clear in appearance and formed Uniform, non-sticky, flexible films. The average time required for the release of 50% drug was found to be 120-180 min, and the drug transport kinetic was best fitted into the Korsmeyer’s-Peppas model. Conclusion: The study concluded that the prepared transdermal film-forming spray formulations would be efficient for treating fungal infections of superficial nature and will prove to be a practical approach in the delivery of topical antifungal agents. Keywords: Fungal Infections, Film-forming Spray, Miconazole Nitrate, Antifungal, Eutectic Mixture. DOI: 10.5530/ijper.56.4s.211 Correspondence: Dr. Ajeet M Godbole Department of Pharmaceutics PES's Rajaram and Tarabai Bandekar College of Pharmacy, Farmagudi, Ponda-Goa, INDIA. E-mail: amgodbole2004@ gmail.com Submission Date: 10-01-2022; Revision Date: 24-06-2022; Accepted Date: 10-08-2022. INTRODUCTION Fungal infections are commonly diagnosed infections that affect humans’ cuticles, epidermis, hairs, and other body parts. Amongst three categories, i.e., superfcial, subcutaneous, and deep or systemic, Onychomycosis and Tenia account for more than a third of all fungal infections. Wherein Trichophyton rubrum (T. tonsurans) and family of Candida species (C. albicans, C tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis) have been identifed as prevalent causal organisms for fungal infections. 1-2 Although various antifungal dosage forms and treatments are approved and available for the management of superfcial infections, the ability of antifungal drugs is dependent on several factors, including the ability of the drug to transmit through the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer, its molecular mass and concentration, and the ability to achieve therapeutic drug concentration levels in the skin. 3-5 Miconazole nitrate chemically denoted as (RS)-1-[2-(2,4-Ichlorophenylmethoxy)2- (2,4-dichlorophenyl) ethyl]-1H-imidazole nitrate, is a drug with poor oral absorption and is very slightly soluble in water – which limits its effcacy and bioavailability