الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Cutaneous fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Different types of antifungal compounds have been used in the oral and topical treatment of dermatological infections. The main classes of topical antifungal drugs are polyenes, azoles, and allylamine/ benzylamines. Topical treatment of fungal infections has several superiorities including targeting the site of infection, reduction of the risk of systemic side effects, enhancement of the efficacy of treatment and better patient compliance. However, therapeutic outcomes of topical antifungal therapy depend largely on the physicochemical characteristics, formulation and skin permeation of the antifungal drug.
Topical antifungal drugs are currently used in clinical practice as conventional creams and gels of the free drug. New formulation approaches based on colloidal drug delivery systems may greatly improve dermal drug delivery and topical antifungal efficiency. Improved bioavailability, increased drug targeting, controlled drug release, increased stability of the entrapped drugs, low biotoxicity are some advantages of colloidal drug delivery systems for topical use.
This thesis focused on the formulation of topical lipid-based colloidal nanocarrier systems for potential topical use of itraconazole (ITZ), a broad spectrum triazole antifungal compound. The poor oral bioavailability of ITZ justifies topical application. Further, its high hydrophobicity made lipid-based delivery systems characterized by relatively low toxicity and cost an attractive formulation approach.