Abstract
Candida spp. are the most prevalent fungi of the human microbiota and are opportunistic pathogens that can cause oral candidiasis. Management of such infections is limited due to the low number of antifungal drugs available, their relatively high toxicity and the emergence of antifungal resistance. Therefore, much interest in the antimicrobial potential of natural compounds has recently been evident. The use of hydrogels in the delivery of biocides has been explored due to their biocompatibility, ease with drug encapsulation, and due to their potential to confer mechanical and structural properties similar to biological tissue. Methylcellulose hydrogels (10% (w/v)) with 1% (v/v) and 2% (v/v) Melissa officinalis oil were synthesised. The rheological properties and gelation time of the hydrogels were evaluated. Antimicrobial action, the antifungal potential and ability to displace Candida were determined. Rheological tests revealed that the hydrogel jellified in three minutes at 37 °C. Loaded hydrogels successfully inhibited Candida albicans growth as evident by zone of inhibition and time-kill assays. A significant reduction in retained C. albicans was demonstrated with the hydrogel at 2% Melissa officinalis concentration. This work demonstrated that an essential oil-loaded hydrogel had the potential to provide a novel antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of oral candidiasis.
Highlights
Candida albicans is a commensal fungus found in 30–50% of healthy humans [1]
The aim of this study was to develop a methylcellulose hydrogel in combination with Melissa officinalis essential oil as treatment for oral candidiasis
The storage modulus, which represents the hydrogel’s elasticity, was constant at strain amplitude below 10%, before increasing (>100 Pa), due to a re-arrangement of methylcellulose network and gel stiffening (Figure 1A,B)
Summary
Candida albicans is a commensal fungus found in 30–50% of healthy humans [1]. changes to the oral environment can lead to one of the most common human fungal infection, oral candidiasis. Melissa officinalis is a plant already used to give fragrance to food and beverage products [6] It has been utilised as a medical plant for different therapeutic effects (e.g., energizer, anticonvulsant, tranquilizer, and to aid digestion) [7]. Besides these functions, it has been demonstrated to have both antimicrobial and antioxidant properties against periodontal pathogens [8,9] and Candida both in planktonic and biofilm form [10,11]
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