A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Hybrid Nanoparticles Dual-Loaded With Curcumin and Benzydamine Hydrochloride for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis : From Development to Biological Application In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Carvalho, Gabriela C.; Domingues, Maria Nolasco Viseu; Marena, Gabriel Davi; Mäkilä, Ermei; Li, Jiachen; Geertsema-Doornbusch, Gesinda; de Andrade, Cleverton Roberto; Stuart, Marc C. A.; Shahbazi, Mohammad-Ali; Correa, Ione; Peterson, Brandon W.; Salonen, Jarno; Florindo, Helena F.; Bauab, Tais Maria; Chorilli, Marlus; Santos, Hélder A.
Publisher: WILEY
Publishing place: HOBOKEN
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Advanced therapeutics
Journal acronym: ADV THER-GERMANY
Article number: 2400342
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Number of pages: 19
eISSN: 2366-3987
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.202400342
Web address : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adtp.202400342
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458535210
Vulvovaginal candidiasis represents a public health challenge due to its reports of high incidence and recurrence. These are caused by host-related factors like compromised immune system, or pathogen-related factors, such as resistance to antifungal agents, making this medical problem desirable to develop new therapeutic options. In this context, natural origin substances like curcumin, are increasingly treatment alternatives. However, some curcumin properties limit its therapeutic application, such as insolubility in aqueous solvents, which leads to low bioavailability. Nevertheless, nanotechnology association with drugs of plant origin proves to be a promising alternative to overcome the reported drawbacks. Despite being caused by a fungus, patients suffer significantly from the inflammation resulting from this disease, thus this study aimed to develop a hybrid carrier nanoformulation by microfluidics loaded with two drugs, benzydamine hydrochloride (an anti-inflammatory drug) and curcumin (an antifungal drug). Transmission electron cryomicroscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the nanoparticle is properly developed. Through in vitro biological studies, it is possible to observe that, in addition to being safe, the encapsulation of both drugs in the nanocarrier drastically reduced their cytotoxicity. Finally, although the final nanoformulation does not show in vitro activity, the in vivo study indicated therapeutic potential.
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Funding information in the publication:
The authors acknowledge São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP- grant numbers: 22/02187-0, 19/26821-7 and 19/09831-9), and UMCG Research Funds for the financial support.