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@article{204687,
        author = {Ankita dagadu Kshirsagar},
        title = {ANISOMELES INDICA LOADED HYDROGEL FOR TOPICAL MANAGEMENT OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {3433-3442},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204687},
        abstract = {Fungal infections are among the most common infectious diseases affecting humans worldwide and continue to pose a significant public health challenge due to their increasing prevalence, recurrent nature, and emerging antifungal resistance. Conventional antifungal therapies are often associated with limitations such as adverse effects, prolonged treatment duration, poor patient compliance, and reduced effectiveness against resistant fungal strains. Consequently, there is growing interest in the development of alternative therapeutic approaches utilizing medicinal plants and advanced drug delivery systems. Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze, a medicinal herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae, has been traditionally used for the treatment of skin disorders, microbial infections, inflammation, and wound healing. Phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, sterols, and essential oils, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological activities. Scientific studies have demonstrated that A. indica possesses significant antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for fungal skin infections. Hydrogel-based drug delivery systems have gained considerable attention for topical applications due to their biocompatibility, high water content, controlled drug release characteristics, and enhanced patient acceptability. Incorporation of Anisomeles indica extract into hydrogel formulations may improve phytochemical stability, enhance skin penetration, prolong drug retention at the site of infection, and provide sustained antifungal activity.
This review summarizes the global burden of fungal infections, challenges associated with antifungal resistance, botanical and phytochemical aspects of Anisomeles indica, its pharmacological and antifungal properties, and the potential application of hydrogel-based delivery systems for topical antifungal therapy. The review also highlights recent advances in herbal antifungal formulations and future perspectives for the development of effective plant-based hydrogel systems for the management of fungal skin infections.},
        keywords = {Anisomeles indica, Fungal Infections, Antifungal Activity, Hydrogel, Herbal Drug Delivery, Phytochemicals, Topical Therapy, Medicinal Plants.},
        month = {June},
        }