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Formulation, stability study and preclinical evaluation of a vaginal cream containing curcumin in a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis
Author(s) -
Fernandes Lígia de Souza,
Amorim Yuri Martins,
Silva Elton Libério,
Silva Samuel Calixto,
Santos Alécia Junia Aparecida,
Peixoto Franciele Natália,
Neves Pires Luara Moniele,
Sakamoto Raquel Yumi,
Horta Pinto Flávia do Carmo,
Scarpa Maria Virgínia Costa,
Araújo Marcelo Gonzaga de Freitas
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/myc.12762
Subject(s) - curcumin , vulvovaginal candidiasis , antifungal , medicine , vagina , pharmacology , dermatology , surgery
Summary Owing to the growing resistance among isolates of Candida species to usual antifungal agents and the well‐known therapeutic potential of curcumin, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a vaginal formulation containing this substance and to evaluating its effectiveness in the treatment of experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis. Curcumin was incorporated in a vaginal cream in three concentrations (0.01%, 0.1% and 1.0%). The different concentrations of the cream and its controls were intravaginally administered in an immunosuppressed rat model to evaluate the efficacy in the treatment of experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis. Samples of the cream were also subjected to centrifugation and physical stability tests and an analytical method for quantification of curcumin was validated based on HPLC . The formulation was stable and the HPLC method could be considered suitable for the quantitative determination of curcumin in the cream. After 6 days of preclinical study, the number of infected animals was 1/6 in all groups treated with curcumin vaginal cream and the fungal burden showed a progressive reduction. Reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the group treated with 1.0% cream. Vaginal cream containing curcumin could be considered a promising effective antifungal medicine in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.