Engineering a Luliconazole‐Loaded Hydrogel With Embedded Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antifungal Activity

ABSTRACT Topical antifungal formulations often suffer from poor solubility and stability of luliconazole, limiting efficacy. Gold nanoparticle–based nanocarriers can improve solubility, stability, and antifungal performance. Accordingly, this study developed and evaluated a luliconazole‐loaded gold nanoparticle hydrogel for enhanced topical delivery. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using carboxymethyl cellulose and optimized by a 2 3 factorial design. The hydrogel was characterized for physicochemical properties, compatibility (FTIR, AFM), and antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes , Microsporum gypseum , and Aspergillus fumigatus . The optimized hydrogel exhibited a particle size of 381.4 ± 0.04 nm, PDI of 0.346 ± 0.03, and zeta potential of −34.8 ± 0.05 mV, indicating stability and uniformity. Entrapment efficiency and drug content were 97.78% and 98.7% (w/w), with a 1.7‐fold solubility enhancement over the pure drug. Sustained drug release was achieved over 24 h with minimal burst. FTIR confirmed compatibility, AFM revealed a smooth surface, and antifungal activity was significantly enhanced (MIC 0.03 µg/mL, p < 0.0001). The gold nanoparticle–based luliconazole hydrogel showed enhanced solubility, stability, and antifungal efficacy, supporting its potential as a sustained topical antifungal therapy.