An Efficient Herbal Approach for Treating Fungal Infection in Cervical Cancer Patients by Developing and Optimizing a Vaginal Suppository

Abstract

Aim. The study is aimed at developing curcumin suppositories as a promising approach for natural antifungal management of vaginal candidiasis in cervical cancer patients to eradicate side effects produced by current antifungal drugs. The objective of the study was to optimize the suppositories using optimal (custom) design employing Design-Expert 13 software to recognize the concentration of polyethylene glycols (PEG) and Poloxamer 407 and obtain a stable suppository. Methodology. Combinations of PEG 1500 (10%–40%), PEG 6000 (40%–60%), and Poloxamer 407 (5%–30%) were entered as factors, and the responses evaluated were hardness, deformation time, and % drug release. In addition, the formulation was also evaluated for visual examination, weight variation, pH determination, drug content, hardness test, disintegration time, melting zone, deformation time, in vitro drug release, antifungal activity, and stability tests. Results. Suppositories were devoid of holes and cracks, with a characteristic odor and a dark yellowish-orange color. All formulations passed the weight variation test. Formulations exhibited pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Drug content was observed to be 98.65 ± 0.041 % – 99.85 ± 0.041 % . The hardness of the formulation was between 2.9 and 4.2 kg/cm2. The disintegration time ranged from 11 ± 0.052 min to 20 ± 0.011 min . The melting point was between 41 ± 0 . 31 ° C and 58 ± 0 . 62 ° C . Deformation time ranged from 10 ± 0.45 to 35 ± 0.52 min . Most of the formulations resulted in 90% of drug release at 40 min, and the zone of inhibition noted was 19.6 ± 0.4 mm . All the selected factors have a significant effect on the response chosen for the study. Conclusion. The optimized curcumin vaginal suppository formulation can be an efficient herbal treatment devoid of side effects to treat vaginal candidiasis in cervical cancer patients.

Pharmacological Efficacy of Tamarix aphylla: A Comprehensive Review

“…Fungal infections are among the most dangerous diseases, killing around 1.5 million humans each year worldwide [ 85 ]. Infection of the skin ranks fourth among all fungal illnesses, and it also accounts for the bulk of deaths [ 86 , 87 ]. In the last several years, there has been an increase in the frequency of fungal illnesses and the resistance of specific fungus species to various fungicides used in medicine.…”

Preparation and characterization studies of etodolac suppositories: investigation on oleaginous blends of Witepsol® H15

“…The average weight of suppositories was around 2 grams. The results were found in between the acceptance criteria described in the pharmacopeia, where non of the suppositories differ by more than 5% [20]. The data were presented in Table 1.…”

Ino80 is required for H2A.Z eviction from hypha‐specific promoters and hyphal development of Candida albicans

“…An unpaired, two‐tailed Student's t ‐test was used for two‐group comparisons, ** p < .01. (d and e) Primary murine‐macrophage RAW264.7 cells were co‐cultured with the wild‐type or ino80 strain at a multiplicity of infection (Ghazwani et al, 2021) of 1 for 6 h. Fungal survival was calculated according to the number of colonies after spreading the diluted supernatant culture medium to YPD plates without lysate the macrophage. Macrophage death was assessed based upon lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release.…”

“…RAW264.7 mouse macrophages (1.5 × 10 4 ) were inoculated into 96‐well plates and challenged with C. albicans at a multiplicity of infection (Ghazwani et al, 2021) of 1. After 6 h of coincubation at 37°C with 5% CO 2 , the engulfment by macrophages was checked by spreading the culture medium on YPD plates with 100‐fold dilutions.…”