Bioadhesive polymer in antifungal drug delivery for therapeutic treatment of candidiasis

Abstract

Candida species are the primary cause of candidiasis, a common yeast infection, with Candida albicans being the most prevalent pathogen. These infections often infiltrate the body through cutaneous and vaginal routes. Given the potential severity of some Candida infections, particularly invasive cases, there is a critical need for effective antifungal treatments. Controlled drug delivery strategies have been developed to achieve optimal release kinetics and precise targeting of active agents, especially in fungal infection therapeutics. Consequently, significant attention has been focused on exploring and utilizing bioadhesive polymers to enhance the performance of drug delivery systems for antifungal medications. Bioadhesive drug delivery systems aim to sustain the release of therapeutic agents, reducing the need for frequent dosing. This article provides a comprehensive review of scientific investigations into the use of antifungal drugs within bioadhesive drug delivery systems for treating candidiasis, locally and systemically. The evaluation covers the efficacy of these systems against candidiasis, factors affecting prolonged contact at the application site, and the underlying mechanisms of drug delivery.