1
|
Rodero CF, Fioramonti Calixto GM, Cristina Dos Santos K, Sato MR, Aparecido Dos Santos Ramos M, Miró MS, Rodríguez E, Vigezzi C, Bauab TM, Sotomayor CE, Chorilli M. Curcumin-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Systems for Controlled Drug Release and Improved Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:4491-4504. [PMID: 30184431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most common infection caused by Candida albicans and greatly reduces the quality of life of women affected by it. Due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatments, there is growing interest in research involving compounds of natural origin. One such compound is curcumin (CUR), which has been proven to be effective against this microorganism. However, some of CUR's physicochemical properties, especially its low aqueous solubility, make the therapeutic application of this compound difficult. Thus, the incorporation of CUR in mucoadhesive liquid crystalline systems (MLCSs) for vaginal administration may be an efficient strategy for the treatment of VVC. MLCSs are capable of potentiating the compound's action, releasing it in a controlled manner, and can enable longer exposure at the site of infection. In this study, MLCSs consisting of oleic acid and ergosterol 5:1 (w/w) as the oily phase, PPG-5-CETETH-20 as the surfactant, and a polymer dispersion of 1% chitosan as the aqueous phase, were developed for the application of CUR (MLCS-CUR) in VVC treatment. The formulations were characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), oscillatory rheometry, continuous shear rheometry, texture profile analysis, and in vitro mucoadhesion. In addition, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro, and the effects on local fungal burden and cytokine profiles were investigated in a murine model of VVC. PLM and SAXS showed that the developed formulations presented a characteristic of a microemulsion. However, after the addition of artificial vaginal mucus (AVM), PLM showed that the formulations had structures similar to the "Maltese cross" characteristic of lamellar MLCS. Mucoadhesive test results showed an increase in the mucoadhesive strength of these formulations. Rheology analyses suggested long-lasting action of the formulation at the infected site. The in vitro antimicrobial activity assays suggested that CUR possesses antifungal activity against Candida albicans, determined after its incorporation into the MLCS. Further, MLCS-CUR was also more effective in vivo in the control of vaginal infection than treatment with fluconazole. Immunological assays showed that the ratio of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β) to anti-inflammatory (TGF-β) cytokines has decreased and that there is a reduction in the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils recruited to the vaginal lumen, showing that treatment with MLCS-CUR was effective in modulating the inflammatory reaction associated with the infection. The results suggest that MLCSs could potentially be used in the treatment of VVC with CUR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Fernanda Rodero
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Giovana Maria Fioramonti Calixto
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Karen Cristina Dos Santos
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Mariana Rillo Sato
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Matheus Aparecido Dos Santos Ramos
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Maria Soledad Miró
- Department Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences , National University of Cordoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Emilse Rodríguez
- Department Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences , National University of Cordoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Cecilia Vigezzi
- Department Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences , National University of Cordoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Tais Maria Bauab
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| | - Claudia Elena Sotomayor
- Department Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences , National University of Cordoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Marlus Chorilli
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , São Paulo State University , Araraquara , Sao Paulo 01049-010 , Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miró MS, Rodríguez E, Vigezzi C, Icely PA, García LN, Peinetti N, Maldonado CA, Riera FO, Caeiro JP, Sotomayor CE. Contribution of TLR2 pathway in the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Pathog Dis 2018; 75:4098498. [PMID: 28911197 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the prevalent etiological agent in acute vulvovaginal infection and the most severe chronic condition known as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). A critical role of local innate immunity in defense and pathogenesis of vaginal infection by Candida is proposed. The fungal recognition by the innate immune receptor is an essential step for the induction of local responses including cytokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production for host protection. Using TLR2-deficient mice, we characterized the early innate immune response during VVC. Intravaginal challenge of TLR2-/- mice with C. albicans demonstrated that in response to the initial massive penetration, a strong local inflammatory reaction with recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils was developed. Both interleukin 1β (IL1β)-regarded as the hallmark of VVC immunopathogenesis-and IL6 were increased in vaginal lavage. Murine beta defensin 1 (mBD1), a constitutive AMP with fungicidal and chemotactic activity, was significantly upregulated in wild type (WT) animals in response to infection. Interestingly, in the absence of TLR2 recognition, levels of mBD1 RNA more than twice higher than those in WT infected animals were observed. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that TLR2 signaling is important to control the fungal burden in the vaginal tract. These finding provide new evidence about the role of this innate receptor during VVC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Soledad Miró
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Center for Research in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Emilse Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Center for Research in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Vigezzi
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Center for Research in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Paula Alejandra Icely
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Center for Research in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Luciana N García
- Institute of Health Sciences Research, INICSA-CONICET and Electronic Microscopy Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nahuel Peinetti
- Institute of Health Sciences Research, INICSA-CONICET and Electronic Microscopy Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cristina A Maldonado
- Institute of Health Sciences Research, INICSA-CONICET and Electronic Microscopy Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fernando Oscar Riera
- Infectology Department, Allende Sanatorium, Pedro Simon Laplace 5749, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Caeiro
- Infectology Department, Privado Hospital, Av. Naciones Unidas 346, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Elena Sotomayor
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity to Fungal Pathogens, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Center for Research in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, CIBICI-CONICET, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|