Innovative Indian Propolis Loaded Carnauba Wax Based Lipid Structured Nanocarriers: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro /In Vivo Antifungal Activities

The aim of this study was to develop nano-structured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with propolis which is a natural antifungal agent with a pronounced activity against resistant fungal strains as Candida albicans which is the primary cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), one of the common vaginitis that affects over 75% of females. In this study, NLCs carrying propolis within their framework were developed for bioavailability enhancement. Such systems were assessed through the examination of their entrapment efficiency (EE), release behaviour, physicochemical assessments, and transmission electron microscopy. High EE (above 95%) and homogeneity were observed in the systems; polydispersity index (PDI) values < 1. Additionally, they exhibited sustained release behaviour for up to 24 h with nano-sized particle size. Propolis NLCs (P1) showed efficient antioxidant activity as well as in vitro antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Moreover, P1 showed a remarkable advantage in depositing propolis in the vaginal tissues and the in vivo study demonstrated that P1 significantly reduced the microbial viable count of Candida albicans after 3 days in the vaginal secretions of the group treated with the nano-formula in compare to the free drug group, with a significant alleviation of the reduced catalase activity in addition to the modulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion and downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in a manner that was dose dependent. Additionally, normal histological structure of the vaginal tissue was observed in the nano-formula treated groups. In conclusion, this novel propolis NLC (P1) showed pronounced efficacy as antifungal/antioxidant therapeutic vehicles.