Buccal Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) Oil Emulsion: A Mucoadhesive System Intended for Treatment of Oral Candidiasis

Abstract

Oral candidiasis (OC) is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms of the genus Candida, leading to lesions in the buccal cavity. Its treatment consists of the administration of topical or systemic antifungal agents, which may compromise the patient compliance due to its side effects, highlighting the need for alternative treatments. In this scenario, bullfrog oil, an animal oil composed of a pool of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, is introduced as a potential antifungal raw material. Thus, the aim of this work was to produce a mucoadhesive emulsified system able to deliver the bullfrog oil in the buccal cavity to treat the OC. The emulsion was produced and characterized by visual inspection, droplet size, polydispersity index (PdI), and zeta potential over the course of 60 days. In addition, its mucoadhesive ability was evaluated using an in vitro mucin model. The antifungal activity, evaluated by the broth microdilution assay and the biocompatibility, performed against human erythrocytes, were also carried out. The emulsion showed a droplet size of 320.79 ± 35.60 nm, a PdI of 0.49 ± 0.08, and a zeta potential of −38.53 ± 6.23 mV, with no significant changes over 60 days. The mucoadhesive properties of the system was improved by the use of pharmaceutical excipients. The antifungal activity showed that the bullfrog oil and the emulsion were able to inhibit the growth of different Candida species. Furthermore, the emulsion showed no significant hemolytic effect. Overall, the system showed suitable physicochemical characteristics and biocompatibility, with substantial in vitro antifungal activity, suggesting that this system can be further investigated for OC treatment.

Bullfrog Oil Reduces the Carrageenan-induced Edema in Wistar Rats by <i>in vitro</i> Reduction of Inflammatory Mediators

“…However, despite its broad popular use, especially against inflammatory conditions, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting such therapeutic property. To date, a limited number of studies have shown scientific evidence of the BFO potential for the development of pharmaceutical products, as showed by previous reports from our research group in which promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were investigated 7,11 . In addition, the cytotoxic activity of BFO not only in natura, but also carried out by nanostructured systems against melanoma cells was also elucidated 6,9 .…”

“…Thus, the BFO and BFO-CV at 50, 100 and 200 µg.mL 1 were tested. These concentration were chosen according to previous work of our research group, wherein BFO concentrations up to 0.5 mg.mL 1 were not able to promote cytotoxic effect 11 .…”

Emerging approaches of wound healing in experimental models of high-grade oral mucositis induced by anticancer therapy

“…Natural health products (NHP) have also been studied mainly because of their antioxidant, antiinflammatory and healing effects as well as anticancer activity [64,[75][76][77][78]. In this regard, Buccal Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) oil emulsion was successfully used as a mucoadhesive system to treat oral candidiasis [79]. In addition, curcumin diferuloylmethane, a polyphenolic compound isolated from the rhizomes of the dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been studied in experimental models and clinical research particularly for cardiometabolic health and dementia due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [80].…”

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bullfrog Oil Polymeric Nanocapsules: From the Design to Preclinical Trials

“…It is well known that this oil presents challenging physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics, such as unfavorable smell, flavor, and spreadability, which contribute negatively to therapeutic compliance. 9,11,13 In this context, researchers have developed technological approaches to overcome the undesirable characteristics of BFO. 9,13,14 Davim et al evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of BFO in natura and a BFO-based microemulsion.…”

“…9,11,13 In this context, researchers have developed technological approaches to overcome the undesirable characteristics of BFO. 9,13,14 Davim et al evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of BFO in natura and a BFO-based microemulsion. This emulsified system theoretically could overcome the disadvantages of BFO in natura.…”