New Formulations Loading Caspofungin for Topical Therapy of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Noelia Pérez-González,
Nuria Bozal-de Febrer,
Ana C. Calpena-Campmany,
Anna Nardi-Ricart,
María J. Rodríguez-Lagunas,
José A. Morales-Molina,
José L. Soriano-Ruiz,
Francisco Fernández-Campos,
Beatriz Clares-Naveros
Affiliations
Noelia Pérez-González
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Nuria Bozal-de Febrer
Department of Biology, Healthcare and the Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 27-31 Joan XXIII Ave., 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Ana C. Calpena-Campmany
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 27-31 Joan XXIII Ave., 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Anna Nardi-Ricart
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
María J. Rodríguez-Lagunas
Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
José A. Morales-Molina
Department of Pharmacy, Torrecárdenas University Hospital, s/n Hermandad de Donantes de Sangre St., 04009 Almeria, Spain
José L. Soriano-Ruiz
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Francisco Fernández-Campos
Reig-Jofre Laboratories, Av. de les Flors s/n, 08970 Sant Joan Despi, Spain
Beatriz Clares-Naveros
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) poses a significant problem worldwide affecting women from all strata of society. It is manifested as changes in vaginal discharge, irritation, itching and stinging sensation. Although most patients respond to topical treatment, there is still a need for increase the therapeutic arsenal due to resistances to anti-infective agents. The present study was designed to develop and characterize three hydrogels of chitosan (CTS), Poloxamer 407 (P407) and a combination of both containing 2% caspofungin (CSP) for the vaginal treatment of VVC. CTS was used by its mucoadhesive properties and P407 was used to exploit potential advantages related to increasing drug concentration in order to provide a local effect. The formulations were physically, mechanically and morphologically characterized. Drug release profile and ex vivo vaginal permeation studies were performed. Antifungal efficacy against different strains of Candida spp. was also evaluated. In addition, tolerance of formulations was studied by histological analysis. Results confirmed that CSP hydrogels could be proposed as promising candidates for the treatment of VVC.
