Miconazole-loaded nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Abstract

Miconazole-loaded nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid (miconazole-loaded nanoparticles/HA) were developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional therapy of the vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). They

were synthesized by emulsification and solvent evaporation techniques, characterized by diameter, poly- dispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, atomic force microscopy (AFM), evaluated in terms of

efficacy against C. albicans in vitro, and tested in a murine VVC model. Nanoparticles showed 211nm of diameter with a 0.32 polydispersity index, -53mV of zeta potential, and 90% miconazole encapsulation efficiency. AFM evidenced nanoparticles with a spherical shape. They inhibited the proliferation of C. albicans in vitro and in vivo

after a single administration. Nanoparticles released the miconazole directly in the site of action at low thera- peutic doses, which was enough to eliminate the fungal burden in the murine VVC model. These systems were

rationally designed since the existence of the HA induces their adhesion on the vaginal mucus and their inter- nalization via CD44 receptors, inhibiting the C. albicans. Therefore, miconazole-loaded nanoparticles/HA

represent an innovative non-conventional pharmaceutical dosage form to treat the VVC and recurrent VVC.