Synergistic activity of crocin and crocin loaded in niosomes alone and in combination with fluconazole against Candida albicans isolates: In vitro and in silico study.

INTRODUCTION: Since the drug resistance in Candida species is becoming a serious clinical challenge, novel alternative therapeutic options, particularly herbal medicine, have attracted increasing interest. This study aimed to pinpoint the potential antifungal activity of crocin (Cro), the efficacy of the niosomal formulation of Cro (NCro), and the synergistic activity of both formulations in combination with fluconazole (FLC) against susceptible and resistant C. albicans isolates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: NCro was formulated using the heating method. The in vitro antimycotic activity of Cro, NCro, and FLC was evaluated. Checkerboard and isobologram assays evaluated the interaction between both formulations of Cro and FLC. Necrotic and apoptotic effects of different agents were analyzed using the flow cytometry method. In silico study was performed to examine the interactions between Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase and Cro as a part of our screening compounds with antifungal properties. RESULTS: NCro exhibited high entrapment efficiency up to 99.73 ± 0.54, and the mean size at 5.224 ± 0.618 µm (mean ± SD, n = 3). Both formulations of Cro were shown to display good anticandidal activity against isolates. The synergistic effect of the NCro in combination with FLC is comparable to Cro (P-value =0.03). Apoptotic indicators confirmed that tested compounds caused cell death in isolates. The docking study indicated that Cro has interactivity with the protein residue of 14α-demethylase. CONCLUSION: The results showed a remarkable antifungal effect by NCro combined with FLC. Natural compounds, particularly nano-sized carrier systems, can act as an effective therapeutic option for further optimizing fungal infection treatment.

Advances of liposomal mediated nanocarriers for the treatment of dermatophyte infections.

Due to the adverse effects associated with long-term administration of antifungal drugs used for treating dermatophytic lesions like tinea unguium, there is a critical need for novel antifungal therapies that exhibit improved absorption and minimal adverse effects. Nanoformulations offer a promising solution in this regard. Topical formulations may penetrate the upper layers of the skin, such as the stratum corneum, and release an appropriate amount of drugs in therapeutic quantities. Liposomes, particularly nanosized ones, used as topical medication delivery systems for the skin, may have various roles depending on their size, lipid and cholesterol content, ingredient percentage, lamellarity, and surface charge. Liposomes can enhance permeability through the stratum corneum, minimize systemic effects due to their localizing properties, and overcome various challenges in cutaneous drug delivery. Antifungal medications encapsulated in liposomes, including fluconazole, ketoconazole, croconazole, econazole, terbinafine hydrochloride, tolnaftate, and miconazole, have demonstrated improved skin penetration and localization. This review discusses the traditional treatment of dermatophytes and liposomal formulations. Additionally, promising liposomal formulations that may soon be available in the market are introduced. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of dermatophyte infections and the role of liposomes in enhancing treatment.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses in Kerman province, southeast of Iran: A 10-years retrospective study (2004-2014).

OBJECTIVES: Superficial and cutaneous fungal infections (SCFIs) are an important public health problem and are common in tropical and subtropical countries. Pityriasis versicolor, dermatophytosis, erythrasma, onychomycosis, and otomycosis are the major diseases associated with SCFIs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and causative agents of dermatomycoses over a period of 10 years in Kerman province, southeast of Iran. METHODS: A number of 1782 subjects, including 1096 females and 686 males, with cutaneous disorders in their skin, nail, and hair suspected to have SCFIs participated in this study. The collected specimens were examined using direct microscopy examination, staining, culture on specific media and PCR-RFLP technique. RESULTS: In total, 617 (34.62%) subjects had SCFIs, of whom 290 (47%) were female and 327 (53%) were male. Identified SCFIs included yeast infections, dermatophytosis, saprophyte onychomycosis, erythrasma, and otomycosis due to non-dermatophytic molds (NDMs). The highest prevalence of dermatomycoses was found among the 41-50-year and 31-40-year age groups. Tinea unguium was the most common clinical pattern of dermatomycoses, and T. mentagrophytes was the predominant agent. Also, Aspergillus spp. were the most common NDMs agents of onychomycosis and otomycosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study summarized the epidemiological trends and etiologic agents of SCFIs in a 10-year period in Kerman, southeast of Iran. Consideration of the current epidemiologic trends in the prevalence and knowledge of the exact causative agents of SCFIs may play an important key role towards further investigations, diagnosis, and modification of current treatments.

Evaluation of Antifungal Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Against Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytosis is the common cutaneous infections in humans and animals, which is caused by the keratinophylic fungus called dermatophytes. In recent years, drugs resistance in pathogenic fungi, including dermatophyte strains to the current antifungals have been increased. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of AgNPs against Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes , and Microsporum gypseum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antifungal susceptibility of nanosilver particles compared with griseofulvin (GR). Its efficacy was investigated against three strains of dermatophytes by both agar dilution and broth microdilution test (BMD). RESULTS: The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) AgNPs on M. canis, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum were 200, 180 and 170 µg.mL-1, respectively. Whereas these strains showed MIC of 25, 100 and 50 µg.mL-1 for GR. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicated that the AgNPs was less active than GR but it had anti-dermatophytic effect.