Fast-Acting Clotrimazole Composited PVP/HPβCD Nanofibers for Oral Candidiasis Application

This study investigates fabrication of clotrimazole (CZ)-composited electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (PVP/HP beta CD) blended nanofiber mats for oral candidiasis applications. PVP/HP beta CD blended nanofiber mats containing clotrimazole were electrospun and characterized using SEM, DSC and XRPD. The solvent system ethanol: water: benzyl alcohol (EtOH:H2O:BzOH) with a 70:20:10 ratio was optimal for the electrospinning process. Various amounts of CZ were loaded into the nanofiber mats. The nanofiber mats was further investigated for drug release, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity. The fiber diameters in the mats were in the nanometer range. The DSC and XRPD revealed a molecular dispersion of amorphous CZ in the nanofiber mats. The loading capacity increased when CZ content was raised. A fast dissolved and released of CZ from the nanofibers mat was achieved. The ability of the CZ-loaded nanofiber mats to kill the Candida depended on the amount of CZ in the mats; moreover, the CZ-loaded nanofibers killed the Candida significantly faster than the CZ powder and lozenges with low cytotoxicity. CZ-loaded nanofiber mats were successfully electrospun. They exhibited rapid antifungal activity in vitro relative to CZ powder and lozenges. Further in vivo studies are needed to investigate for their application in oral candidiasis.