Comparison of the antifungal activity of fluconazole- and ketoconazole-loaded PCL/PVP nanofibrous mat

In this study, the antifungal activity of both fluconazole and ketoconazole was compared. The drugs were loaded into the polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibrous mats and the effect of the drug-loaded samples on Candida albicans (Ca) were investigated by disc diffusion method. Furthermore, the characterization of nanofibrous mats was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and contact angle tests. The mean diameter of nanofibres was 656 nm and it decreased with the addition of drugs into the electrospinning solutions, because the viscosity of solutions were decreased while electron conductivity of solutions was increased. With increase in the amount of the drug from 5 to 15%, the hydrophilicity increased. FT-IR revealed both drugs were physically embedded in the nanofibres and confirmed their presence in the composition. In addition, the degradation behaviour of samples was significant due to by the amount and the dissolution of PVP and approximately 40% loss weight occurred after 22 days. In the disc diffusion tests, both drug-loaded samples had antifungal effect on sensitive isolates of Ca, while for resistant of isolate the ketoconazole had more effective than fluconazole. Overall, the study highlights the ability of antifungal drug-loaded PVP/PCL nanofibrous mats as potential wound dressing materials and local delivery systems.