Miconazole loaded chitosan-based nanoparticles for local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis fungal infections

Abstract

Objectives In this study, polymeric nanoparticles based on chitosan incorporating the antifungal miconazole nitrate were fabricated and testedin vivo using murine vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods Nanoparticles prepared by the ionotropic gelation method presented 200 to 300 nm diameter and polydispersity indexes ranging from 0.2 to 0.4. The nanoparticles were prepared to incorporate 63.9 mg/mL of miconazole nitrate to be testedin vivo. Murine vulvovaginal candidiasis was standardized using estradiol valerate before the animals were challenged by Candida albicans. Results The treatment using chitosan nanoparticles within miconazole nitrate presented the same therapeutic efficacy as miconazole nitrate in a commercial cream formulation, however using the antifungal content about seven-fold lower. This increase in the miconazole nitrate’s therapeutic efficacy is may be due to the down-regulation of interleukin 10 (IL-10) expression. Conclusions Our data represent a proof of concept that can be exploited to achieve an alternative and promising therapy for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.