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

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 nanemulsion as a delivery system. METHODS: In this study was employed a lipid nanoemulsion as a delivery system composed of Cholesterol (10%), soybean phosphatidylcholine: Brij 58 (1: 2) and PBS (pH 7.4) with 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 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 resulted in an increase in antifungal activity and enhanced the anti-biofilm potential. This study classified the use of a NL as an important tool for administration of S. nitens derivatives in cases of infections caused by this C. parapsisilosis.