Antifungal Carvacrol Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles.

Alberto Vitali,Annarita Stringaro,Alexandra Muntiu,Letizia Angiolella,Marisa Colone

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11010011

Alberto Vitali, Annarita Stringaro + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11010011

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Abstract

The increased prevalence and incidence of fungal infections, of which Candida albicans represents one of the most life-threatening organisms, is prompting the scientific community to develop novel antifungal molecules. Many essential oils components are attracting attention for their interesting antifungal activities. Given the chemical and physical characteristics of these compounds, the use of appropriate nanodelivery systems is becoming increasingly widespread. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using an ionic gelation procedure and loaded with the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol. After a bioassay guided optimization, the best nanoparticle formulation was structurally characterized by means of different spectroscopic (UV, FTIR and DLS) and microscopy techniques (SEM) and described for their functional features (encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and release kinetics). The antifungal activity of this formulation was assayed with different Candida spp., both in planktonic and biofilm forms. From these studies, it emerged that the carvacrol loaded nanoparticles were particularly active against planktonic forms and that the antibiofilm activity was highly dependent on the species tested, with the C. tropicalis and C. krusei strains resulting as the most susceptible.

Highlights

Microscopy techniques (SEM) and described for their functional features
In this study we have explored the possibility to couple the antifungal properties of Cs and Cv, preparing nanoparticles based on low molecular weight Cs and testing their efficiency towards different strains of Candida
Chitosan nanoparticles produced by means of an ionic gelation method were loaded with the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol

Summary

Introduction

Microscopy techniques (SEM) and described for their functional features (encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and release kinetics). The antifungal activity of this formulation was assayed with different Candida spp., both in planktonic and biofilm forms. From these studies, it emerged that the carvacrol loaded nanoparticles were active against planktonic forms and that the antibiofilm activity was highly dependent on the species tested, with the C. tropicalis and C. krusei strains resulting as the most susceptible. Carvacrol was shown to have low toxicity and to be effective in alleviating systemic C. albicans infections through its antifungal and immunomodulatory activities [10]. To enhance carvacrol bioavailability and stability, while at the same time limiting potential negative side-effects, different nano-formulations have been proposed for its delivery to be applied as food preservative [12,13,14] or to contrast bacterial strains [15,16]. Chitosan (Cs), a polymer obtained for deacetylation of the natural compound chitin, is greatly consolidated in nano- and micro-delivery applications, due to its characteristics of biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and high hydrophilicity [17,18], and because of the relative ease in preparing nano or microparticles [19,20]

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