Pérez-González, NoeliaBozal-de Febrer, NuriaCalpena-Campmany, Ana C.Nardi-Ricart, AnnaRodríguez-Lagunas, María J.Morales-Molina, José A.Soriano-Ruiz, José L.Fernández-Campos, FranciscoClares-Naveros, Beatriz2022-12-232022-12-232021-12-12Pérez-González N, Bozal-de Febrer N, Calpena-Campmany AC, Nardi-Ricart A, Rodríguez-Lagunas MJ, Morales-Molina JA, et al. New Formulations Loading Caspofungin for Topical Therapy of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Gels. 2021 Dec 12;7(4):259http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4540Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) poses a significant problem worldwide affecting women from all strata of society. It is manifested as changes in vaginal discharge, irritation, itching and stinging sensation. Although most patients respond to topical treatment, there is still a need for increase the therapeutic arsenal due to resistances to anti-infective agents. The present study was designed to develop and characterize three hydrogels of chitosan (CTS), Poloxamer 407 (P407) and a combination of both containing 2% caspofungin (CSP) for the vaginal treatment of VVC. CTS was used by its mucoadhesive properties and P407 was used to exploit potential advantages related to increasing drug concentration in order to provide a local effect. The formulations were physically, mechanically and morphologically characterized. Drug release profile and ex vivo vaginal permeation studies were performed. Antifungal efficacy against different strains of Candida spp. was also evaluated. In addition, tolerance of formulations was studied by histological analysis. Results confirmed that CSP hydrogels could be proposed as promising candidates for the treatment of VVC.enAtribución 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Vulvovaginal candidiasisAntifungal therapyCaspofunginVaginal mucosal deliveryMucoadhesive hydrogelThermoreversible hydrogelCandidiasis vulvovaginalAntifúngicosCaspofunginaHidrogelesPruritoMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::WomenMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Bacterial Infections and Mycoses::Mycoses::Candidiasis::Candidiasis, VulvovaginalMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Chemical Actions and Uses::Pharmacologic Actions::Therapeutic Uses::Anti-Infective Agents::Antifungal AgentsMedical Subject Headings::Technology and Food and Beverages::Technology, Industry, and Agriculture::Manufactured Materials::Biomedical and Dental Materials::Polymers::Polyethylene Glycols::PoloxamerMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Complex Mixtures::Colloids::Gels::HydrogelsMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications::Female Urogenital Diseases::Genital Diseases, Female::Vaginal Diseases::Vaginal DischargeMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases::Skin Diseases::PruritusMedical Subject Headings::Psychiatry and Psychology::Psychological Phenomena and Processes::Psychophysiology::SensationMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::Femaleresearch article34940319open access10.3390/gels70402592310-2861PMC8701247