Development and Evaluation of Microencapsulated Oregano Essential Oil as an Alternative Treatment for Candida albicans Infections Articles uri icon

authors

  • Fernandes, Liliana
  • Barco Tejada, Ainara
  • Blazquez, Elena
  • Araujo, Daniela
  • Ribeiro, Artur
  • Silva, Sonia
  • CUSSO MULA, LORENA
  • Costa De Oliveira, Sofia
  • Rodrigues, M. Elisa
  • Henriques, Mariana

publication date

  • July 2024

start page

  • 40311

end page

  • 41720

issue

  • 31

volume

  • 16

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1944-8244

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1944-8252

abstract

  • Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is characterized as a very common fungal infection that significantly affects women"shealth worldwide. Essential oils (EOs) are currently being evaluated as an alternative therapy. The development of efficienttechniques such as micro- or nanoencapsulation for protecting and controlling release is essential to overcome the limitations of EOapplications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and characterize oregano EO-loaded keratin microparticles (OEO-KMPs) as a potential treatment for VVC. OEO-KMPs were produced using high-intensity ultrasonic cycles and characterized interms of morphological and physicochemical parameters. In vitro evaluation included assessing the toxicity of the OEO-KMPs andtheir effect against Candida albicans using microdilution and agar diffusion, while the activity against biofilm was quantified usingcolony forming units (CFU). The efficacy of the OEO-KMPs in an in vivo VVC mouse model was also studied. Female BALB/cmice were intravaginally infected with C. albicans, 24 h postinfection animals were treated intravaginally with 15 μL of OEO-KMPsand 24 h later vaginal fluid was analyzed for C. albicans and Lactobacillus growth (CFU mL−1). The results showed the stability of theOEO-KMPs over time, with high encapsulation efficiency and controlled release. This nanoparticle size facilitated penetration andcompletely inhibited the planktonic growth of C. albicans. In addition, an in vitro application of 2.5% of the OEO-KMPs eradicatedmature C. albicans biofilms while preserving Lactobacillus species. In in vivo, a single intravaginal application of OEO-KMPs induceda reduction in C. albicans growth, while maintaining Lactobacillus species. In conclusion, this therapeutic approach with OEO-KMPsis promising as a potential alternative or complementary therapy for VVC while preserving vaginal microflora.

subjects

  • Biology and Biomedicine
  • Medicine

keywords

  • vulvovaginal candidiasis; candida albicans; vaginal microflora; phytotherapeutic applications; keratin microcapsules; biofilm treatment