Amphotericin B-loaded Eudragit RL100 nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

The treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is based on oral and vaginal formulations which show limited effectiveness. In this study, amphotericin B-loaded Eudragit RL100 nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid (AMP EUD nanoparticles/HA) were developed to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional formulations. AMP EUD nanoparticles/HA were synthesized by nanoprecipitation, formulated by statistical experimental design, and characterized. AMP release from EUD nanoparticles/HA and its antifungal activity in a murine model of VVC were evaluated. Nanoparticles showed 147.6 ± 16.7 nm of diameter, 0.301 ± 0.09 of polydispersity index, - 29.9 ± 3.76 mV of zeta potential, and 87.27 % of encapsulation efficiency. They released about 81 % of AMP in 96 h; and provided the elimination of 100 % of the vaginal fungal burden in 24 h. It was suggested that the AMP EUD nanoparticles/HA penetrated into the vaginal epithelium via CD44 receptors. These AMP EUD nanoparticles/HA represent a non-conventional vaginal formulation to improve the treatment of VVC.