A novel nanotechnological mucoadhesive and fast-dissolving film for vaginal delivery of clotrimazole: design, characterization, and in vitro antifungal action

Xanthan-carrageenan film containing sesame seed oil: A nanocomposite pharmaceutical platform for trichomoniasis treatment

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection that poses significant complications for women. Challenges in treatment include adverse effects and resistance to standard antimicrobial agents. Given this context, a sesame seed oil nanoemulsion (SONE) was developed and showed anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity. To facilitate the local application of SONE, a polysaccharide film was developed using xanthan gum (XG) and κ-carrageenan gum (CG). A blend of XG and CG (at 2 %, ratio 1:3) plasticized with glycerol produced a more promising film (XCF) than using the gums individually. The film containing SONE (SONE-XCF) was successfully obtained by replacing the aqueous solvent with SONE via solvent evaporation technique. The hydrophilic SONE-XCF exhibited homogeneity and suitable mechanical properties for vaginal application. Furthermore, SONE-XCF demonstrated mucoadhesive properties and high absorption capacity for excessive vaginal fluids produced in vaginitis. It also had a disintegration time of over 8 h, indicating long retention at the intended site of action. Hemolysis and chorioallantoic membrane tests confirmed the safety of the film. Therefore, SONE-XCF is a biocompatible film with a natural composition and inherent activity against T. vaginalis, possessing exceptional characteristics that make it appropriate for vaginal application, offering an interesting alternative for trichomoniasis treatment.

Nanotherapeutics for the delivery of antifungal drugs

The treatment of fungal infections is challenging with high death rates reported among immunocompromised patients. The currently available antifungals suffer from poor bioavailability and solubility, pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance, with limited cellular uptake. The clinical pipeline of new antifungals is dry. The incorporation of antifungal drugs into polymer-based nanocarriers to form nanotherapeutics is a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic outcomes of the available antifungal drugs. This review summarizes different polymer-based nanotherapeutics strategies that have been explored for the delivery of antifungals, resulting in enhanced therapeutic outcomes, such as improved pharmacokinetics, targeted/sustained delivery, prolonged drug circulation, retention of the drugs at the localized site of action, and overcoming drug resistance when compared with the free antifungal drugs.

Progress of polymer-based strategies in fungal disease management: Designed for different roles

Fungal diseases have posed a great challenge to global health, but have fewer solutions compared to bacterial and viral infections. Development and application of new treatment modalities for fungi are limited by their inherent essential properties as eukaryotes. The microorganism identification and drug sensitivity analyze are limited by their proliferation rates. Moreover, there are currently no vaccines for prevention. Polymer science and related interdisciplinary technologies have revolutionized the field of fungal disease management. To date, numerous advanced polymer-based systems have been developed for management of fungal diseases, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. In this review, we provide an overview of current needs and advances in polymer-based strategies against fungal diseases. We high light various treatment modalities. Delivery systems of antifungal drugs, systems based on polymers' innate antifungal activities, and photodynamic therapies each follow their own mechanisms and unique design clues. We also discuss various prevention strategies including immunization and antifungal medical devices, and further describe point-of-care testing platforms as futuristic diagnostic and monitoring tools. The broad application of polymer-based strategies for both public and personal health management is prospected and integrated systems have become a promising direction. However, there is a gap between experimental studies and clinical translation. In future, well-designed in vivo trials should be conducted to reveal the underlying mechanisms and explore the efficacy as well as biosafety of polymer-based products.

Novel Pullulan/Gellan Gum Bilayer Film as a Vehicle for Silibinin-Loaded Nanocapsules in the Topical Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

In this study a novel gellan gum/pullulan bilayer film containing silibinin-loaded nanocapsules was developed for topical treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). The bilayer films were produced by applying a pullulan layer on a gellan gum layer incorporated with silibinin nanocapsules by two-step solvent casting method. The bilayer formation was confirmed by microscopic analysis. In vitro studies showed that pullulan imparts bioadhesitvity for the films and the presence of nanocapsules increased their occlusion factor almost 2-fold. Besides, the nano-based film presented a slow silibinin release and high affinity for cutaneous tissue. Moreover, this film presented high scavenger capacity and non-hemolytic property. In the in vivo study, interestingly, the treatments with vehicle film attenuated the scratching behavior and the ear edema in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). However, the nano-based film containing silibinin modulated the inflammatory and oxidative parameters in a similar or more pronounced way than silibinin solution and vehicle film, as well as than hydrocortisone, a classical treatment of AD. In conclusion, these data suggest that itself gellan gum/pullulan bilayer film might attenuate the effects induced by DNCB, acting together with silibinin-loaded nanocapsules, which protected the skin from oxidative damage, improving the therapeutic effect in this AD-model.

Potential Combinatory Effect of Cannabidiol and Triclosan Incorporated into Sustained Release Delivery System against Oral Candidiasis

Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen. Biofilm formation on various surfaces is an important determinant of C. albicans pathogenicity. Our previous results demonstrated the high potential of cannabidiol (CBD) to affect C. albicans biofilms. Based on these data, we investigated the possibility of incorporating CBD and/or triclosan (an antimicrobial agent that is widely utilized in dentistry) in a sustained-release varnish (SRV) (SRV-CBD, SRV-triclosan) to increase their pharmaceutical potential against C. albicans biofilm, as well as that of the mixture of the agents into SRV (SRV-CBD/triclosan). The study was conducted in a plastic model, on agar, and in an ex vivo tooth model. Our results demonstrated strong antibiofilm activity of SRV-CBD and SRV-triclosan against C. albicans in all tested models. Both formulations were able to inhibit biofilm formation and to remove mature fungal biofilm. In addition, SRV-CBD and SRV-triclosan altered C. albicans morphology. Finally, we observed a dramatic enhancement of antibiofilm activity when combined SRV-CBD/triclosan was applied. In conclusion, we propose that incorporation of CBD or triclosan into SRV is an effective strategy to fight fungal biofilms. Importantly, the data demonstrate that our CBD/triclosan varnish is safe, and is not cytotoxic for normal mammalian cells. Furthermore, we propose that CBD and triclosan being in mixture in SRV exhibit complementary antibiofilm activity, and thus can be explored for further development as a potential treatment against fungal infections.