Nystatin Encapsulated Nanoliposomes: Potential Anti-infective against Candida Spp. Isolated from Candidiasis Patients.

Background: Due to the pathogenic role of opportunistic fungi in immunodeficiency patients, many efforts have been made for developing effective treatment strategies to augment current practice standards. Nystatin, as one of the treatment candidates, is characterized by antifungal effects. In this study, we tried to use liposomal formulation as a nystatin carrier to increase its antifungal efficacy.

Materials and methods: A total of 87 positive culture samples of yeast agents were applied to the study. Yeast species were identified by culturing on CHROMagar medium (HiMEDIA), culturing on NigerSide agar medium, and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Characterization of nanoparticles was examined by the size, zeta potential (ZP), scanning electron microscope (SEM), drug loading, and drug release rate. The standard method of broth microdilution according to CLSI M27-A and the quality control standard of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 were used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nystatin and nystatin nanoliposomes.

Results: The particle size for liposomes containing nystatin was 100.8 ± 17.3 nm. Moreover, the ZP for liposomal formulation of nystatin was 21.14 ± 0.92 -mV. The formulation of nystatin in nanoparticles markedly increased the susceptibility of Candida species to nystatin at lower doses, which was statistically significant compared to free nystatin (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results showed that liposomal formulation improves the efficiency of nystatin against albicans species. This formulation can be used to develop new antifungal agents to improve the delivery and absorption of hydrophobic drugs.