Syngonanthus nitens (Bong.) ruhland derivatives loaded into a lipid nanoemulsion for enhanced antifungal activity against candida parapsilosis

Abstract

Background: Vaginal infections caused by non-albicans species have become common in women of all age groups. The resistance of species such as Candida parapsilosis to the various antifungal agents is a risk factor attributed to these types of infections, which instigates the search for new sources of active compounds in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VCC) therapy. Objective: This study evaluated the antifungal activity of Syngonanthus nitens Bong. (Ruhland) derivatives and employed a lipid nanoemulsion as a delivery system. Methods: In this study, a lipid nanoemulsion was employed as a delivery system composed of Cholesterol (10%), soybean phosphatidylcholine: Brij 58 (1: 2) and PBS (pH 7.4) with the addition of 0.5% of a chitosan dispersion (80%), and evaluated the antifungal activity of S. nitens Bong. (Ruhland) derivatives against planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida parapsilosis. By a biomonitoring fractionation, the crude extract (EXT) and one fraction (F2) were selected and incorporated into a lipid nanoemulsion (NL) composed of cholesterol (10%), a 1:2 mixture of soybean phosphatidylcholine:polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether (10%), and phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) with a 0.5% chitosan dispersion (80%). The NL presented a diameter size between 50-200 nm, pseudoplastic behavior, and positive charge. The EXT and five fractions were active against planktonic cells. Results and Discussion: The incorporation of EXT and F2 into the NL increased antifungal activity and enhanced the anti-biofilm potential. This study classified the use of an NL as an important tool for the administration of S. nitens derivatives in cases of infections caused by this C. parapsisilosis. Conclusion: This work concluded that S. nitens derivatives were important sources of active molecules against C. parapsilosis and the use of a lipid nanoemulsion was an important tool to promote more effective F2 release and to improve the antifungal activity aiming the control of C. parapsilosis infections.