Emerging Trends in Hydrogel for the Treatment of Vaginal Candidiasis: A Comprehensive Review

This review discusses the use of hydrogel systems for intravaginal drug delivery, specifically antibacterial, anti-trichomonas, and anti-fungal regimens for managing and treating gynecological infections, particularly vaginal candidiasis. Nearly 80% of females worldwide have encountered Candida albicans, the root cause of vaginal candidiasis (VC). This infection is manifested by inflammation, itching, erythema, dyspareunia, and pain in the infected vaginal mucosal area. Long-term use of antibiotics, immunosuppressants, contraceptive pills, use of intra-uterine devices, vaginal douching, unprotected sexual intercourse, pregnancy, and hyperglycemic condition are the major factors that affect vaginal flora and may cause VC. Conventional dosage forms, such as creams, ointment, powder, pessaries, etc., are used in VC treatment; however, they have some serious limitations, such as short mucosal contact, rapid vaginal flush or discharge, or poor mucosal absorption. Researchers have developed several novel hydrogel preparations, such as mucoadhesive, pH or temperature-sensitive, or other polymeric hydrogels, to overcome these limitations. Thus, the objective of this study is to provide information on the pathophysiology and diagnosis of VC, and recently developed hydrogels for its treatment, which utilize a sol-gel system where gel formation takes place in vaginal conditions. Drug-exempted systems exhibiting antifungal problems are overcome by hydrogel, which also facilitates their wardship and proper distribution in the vaginal mucosa.