A Multidisciplinary Approach for Developing a Natural Antifungal Formulation Targeting Oropharyngeal Candidiasis: A Mini-review.

Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), a fungal infection affecting the mouth and throat, imposes a substantial burden on vulnerable populations such as HIV/AIDS patients, cancer treatment recipients, and the elderly. Conventional antifungal medications are encountering increasing resistance and side effects, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.

Objectives: This review proposes a comprehensive strategy for developing a novel natural product- based antifungal formulation targeting OPC. The approach involves harnessing promising natural compounds with established antifungal properties and employing advanced delivery systems like mucoadhesive microemulsions to improve efficacy and minimize adverse effects. Additionally, the review explores the integration of computational methods to expedite the identification and development of potent antifungal agents.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Search terms included combinations of "oropharyngeal candidiasis," "natural antifungal agents," "flavonoids," "mucoadhesive microemulsions," "computational drug discovery," and "in vitro/in vivo studies." Priority was given to studies published within the last ten years.

Results: The review identifies promising natural compounds with antifungal activity against Candida species commonly associated with OPC. Additionally, several studies highlight the potential of computational tools such as molecular docking and in silico ADMET for rapidly identifying natural compounds with potent antifungal activity and favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. A brief overview of in vitro and in vivo experiments is provided, emphasizing their role in validating the safety and efficacy of the proposed natural product-based antifungal formulation. Formulation and analytical aspects are also discussed.

Conclusion: The multidisciplinary approach outlined, incorporating natural products, computational methods, advanced preclinical in vitro and in vivo experiments, and advanced delivery systems, offers promise for the rapid, cost-effective development of safe and effective optimized formulations to address the growing challenge of OPC, particularly in vulnerable populations.