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Chitosan-Albumin Nanocomposite as a Promising Nanocarrier for Efficient Delivery of Fluconazole Against Vaginal Candidiasis

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Abstract

Currently, the high incidence of fungal infections among females has resulted in outstanding problems. Candida species is related with multidrug resistance and destitute clinical consequences. Chitosan-albumin derivatives with more stability exhibit innate antifungal and antibacterial effects that boost the activity of the drug without inflammatory impact. The stability and sustained release of Fluconazole in mucosal tissues can be ensured by encapsulating in protein/polysaccharide nanocomposites. Thus, we developed chitosan-albumin nanocomposite (CS-A) loaded with Fluconazole (Flu) antifungals against vaginal candidiasis. Various ratios of CS/Flu (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) were prepared. Thereafter, the CS-A-Flu nanocomposites were qualified and quantified using FT-IR, DLS, TEM, and SEM analytical devices, and the size range from 60 to 100 nm in diameter was attained for the synthesized nanocarriers. Afterward, the antifungal activity, biofilm reduction potency, and cell viability assay were performed for biomedical evaluation of formulations. The minimum inhibitory concentration) and minimum fungicidal concentration on Candida albicans were attained at 125 ng/μL and 150 ng/μL after treatment with a 1:2 (CS/Flu) ratio of CS-A-Flu. The biofilm reduction assay indicated that biofilm formation was between 0.05 and 0.1% for CS-A-Flu at all ratios. The MTT assay also exhibited excellent biocompatibility for samples, about 7 to 14% toxicity on human HGF normal cells. These data have indicated that CS-A-Flu would be a promising candidate against Candida albicans.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 1916893813, Iran

    Morvarid Hatamiazar & Sepideh Khaleghi

  2. Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Javad Mohammadnejad

Authors
  1. Morvarid Hatamiazar
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  2. Javad Mohammadnejad
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  3. Sepideh Khaleghi
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Contributions

MHA: study concept and design, acquisition of data, drafting of the manuscript. JM: critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. SK: statistical analysis, administrative, technical and material support, study supervision, analysis and interpretation of data.

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Correspondence to Sepideh Khaleghi.

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Hatamiazar, M., Mohammadnejad, J. & Khaleghi, S. Chitosan-Albumin Nanocomposite as a Promising Nanocarrier for Efficient Delivery of Fluconazole Against Vaginal Candidiasis. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 196, 701–716 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-023-04492-z

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