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A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms
Published on: September 16, 2022
Investigating natural antibiofilm components: a new therapeutic perspective against candidal vulvovaginitis
Nazia Hassan1, Salma Firdaus1, Santwana Padhi2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, Delhi 110062, India.
Abstract:
The rampant emergence of Candida albicans in the vagina and its ability to thrive as a biofilm has outstood the prevalence of candidal vulvovaginitis (CVV), a gender-based fungal infection approximately affecting 75% of the global female population. The biofilm represents a multidimensional microbial population, which often dictates prominent caveats of CVV such as increased fungal virulence, drug resistance and infection relapse/recurrence. Additionally, the conjugated issues of the ineffectiveness of conventional antifungals (azoles), prolonged treatment durations, compromised patient compliance, economic and social burden, exacerbates CVV complications as well. Henceforth, the current hypothesis narrates an investigational proposal for exploration and combination of naturally derived antibiofilm components with luliconazole (imidazole antifungal agent) as a new therapeutic paradigm against CVV. The purported hypothesis unravels a synergistic approach for fabricating Nanostructured Lipid Carriers, NLCs loaded transvaginal gel with dual APIs of natural (antibiofilm) as well as the synthetic (antifungal) origin to target high therapeutic efficacy, delivery, retention, controlled release and bioadhesion in a vaginal milieu. The multipronged effect of antibiofilm and antifungal agents will expectably enhance drug susceptibility thus, maintaining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against cells of C. albicans and targeting its biofilm in planktonic, adherent, and sessile phases. The effective disruption of a biofilm could further lower infection resistance and recurrence as well. In conclusion, the purported hypothesis could speed up the emergence of novel drug combinations and accelerates new product development with solid, synergistic, and complementary activities against C. albicans and its biofilm, making it amenable for generating pre-clinical and clinical results therebycreating a suitableroadmap for commercialization.
Insights
This study proposes a novel Nanostructured Lipid Carrier gel combining natural antibiofilm agents and luliconazole to combat recurrent Candida albicans vulvovaginitis (CVV) effectively. This approach aims to overcome drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes for this common fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmaceutics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Candidal vulvovaginitis (CVV) affects 75% of women globally, characterized by Candida albicans biofilms that resist conventional azole antifungals.
- Biofilms increase fungal virulence, promote drug resistance, and lead to infection relapse, complicating treatment and increasing patient burden.
- Current treatments face challenges including antifungal ineffectiveness, prolonged durations, and poor patient compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel therapeutic strategy for CVV by combining natural antibiofilm compounds with the antifungal luliconazole.
- To develop Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) loaded transvaginal gel for enhanced delivery, retention, and controlled release of dual active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- To investigate a synergistic approach targeting Candida albicans biofilms in planktonic, adherent, and sessile phases for improved therapeutic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Hypothesizing a synergistic combination of natural antibiofilm agents and luliconazole within NLCs.
- Formulating a transvaginal gel incorporating dual APIs (natural antibiofilm and synthetic antifungal) encapsulated in NLCs.
- Aiming to achieve controlled release, bioadhesion, and enhanced drug susceptibility against Candida albicans biofilms.
Main Results:
- The proposed NLC-loaded gel is expected to exhibit high therapeutic efficacy through dual-action antibiofilm and antifungal effects.
- Synergistic action is anticipated to maintain Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against Candida albicans and disrupt biofilms.
- Effective biofilm disruption is predicted to reduce infection resistance and recurrence rates.
Conclusions:
- This novel approach offers a promising new paradigm for treating CVV by overcoming limitations of current therapies.
- The combination strategy accelerates the development of new products with synergistic activity against Candida albicans and its biofilms.
- Successful preclinical and clinical results could pave the way for commercialization of this advanced CVV treatment.
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