Evaluation of lectin nanoscaffold based in-situ gel against vulvovaginal candidiasis causing Candida biofilms using a novel ex-vivo model

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) remains a global issue for women of the reproductive age group. It is mainly caused by Candida albicans and in some cases includes a co-infection with Candida glabrata. Conventional treatments for VVC include oral anti-fungal drugs or drug-loaded creams, gels, and vaginal suppositories. Conventional treatment options like gels, creams has a high chance of other infections due to the applicator used for applying the creams and gels. Thus, in the present study, a novel formulation that undergoes sol-to-gel transition (in-situ gel) with phytolectin nanoconjugate combined with standard antifungal drugs has been proposed. The formulated in-situ gel had a shear thinning property and formed a gel at 0.3% of carbopol in vaginal fluid simulant. Drug-loaded JCuSNPs formulation had nearly 80% of biofilm eradication against C. albicans and C. glabrata mono and mixed species causing VVC. Light microscopic analysis revealed hyphal inhibition upon the treatment of drug-loaded JCuSNPs formulation. The current study also provides an insight to explore goat buccal mucosal membrane as a novel, cheap and easily sourced ex-vivo model. This also mimicks the vaginal membrane which can be used to study vaginal biofilms and to evaluate the potency of anti-biofilm drug formulations before employing expensive in-vivo models. Candida biofilms were developed on the goat buccal mucosal membrane and eradication was also observed upon treatment with formulation. The biofilm developed on buccal mucosal membrane were analyzed for virulence gene expression after treatment with the drug-loaded JCuSNPs formulations. In vitro and ex vivo drug release kinetics displayed the release and dissociation of drug after formulation through dialysis membrane and buccal mucosal membrane. [Display omitted] •Formulation of phyto nano scaffold based In-situ gels.•Development of a novel ex-vivo model to study Candida biofilms.•Drug release and drug permeation studies using the novel ex-vivo model.•Exploitation of the ex-vivo model to mimic the vulvovaginal candidiasis environment.