Development and Characterization of New Miconazole-Based Microemulsions for Buccal Delivery by Implementing a Full Factorial Design Modeling

Abstract

This research aimed to develop miconazole-based microemulsions using oleic acid as a natural lipophilic phase and a stabilizer mixture comprising Tween 20 and PEG 400 to solubilize miconazole as an antifungal agent known for its activity in oral candidiasis and to improve its bioavailability. The formulation and preparation process was combined with a mathematical approach using a 23-full factorial plan. Fluid and gel-like microemulsions were obtained and analyzed considering pH, conductivity, and refractive index, followed by extensive analyses focused on droplet size, zeta potential, rheological behavior, and goniometry. In vitro release tests were performed to assess their biopharmaceutical characteristics. Independent variables coded X1-Oleic acid (%, w/w), X2-Tween 20 (%, w/w), and X3-PEG 400 (%, w/w) were analyzed in relationship with three main outputs like mean droplet size, work of adhesion, and diffusion coefficient by combining statistical tools with response surface methodology. The microemulsion containing miconazole base–2%, oleic acid–5%, Tween 20–40%, PEG 400–20%, and water–33% exhibited a mean droplet size of 119.6 nm, a work of adhesion of 71.98 mN/m, a diffusion coefficient of 2.11·10−5 cm2/s, and together with remarked attributes of two gel-like systems formulated with higher oil concentrations, modeled the final optimization step of microemulsions as potential systems for buccal delivery.