Phytol-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as a Novel Anticandidal Nanobiotechnological Approach

Abstract

Phytol is a diterpene alcohol and can be found as a product of the metabolism of chlorophyll in plants. This compound has been explored as a potential antimicrobial agent, but it is insoluble in water. In this study, we describe a novel approach for an interesting anticandidal drug delivery system containing phytol. Different formulations of phytol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were designed and tested using a natural lipid, 1,3-distearyl-2-oleyl-glycerol (TG1). Different compositions were considered to obtain three formulations with 1:10, 1:5, and 1:3 w/w phytol/TG1 ratios. All the formulations were prepared by emulsification solvent evaporation method and had their physicochemical properties assessed. The biocompatibility assay was performed in the HEK-293 cell line and the antifungal efficacy was demonstrated in different strains of Candida ssp., including different clinical isolates. Spherical and uniform SLN (<300 nm, PdI < 0.2) with phytol-loading efficiency >65% were achieved. Phytol-loaded SLN showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in the HEK-293 cell line. The three tested formulations of phytol-loaded SLN considerably enhanced the minimal inhibitory concentration of phytol against 15 strains of Candida spp. Considering the clinical isolates, the formulations containing the highest phytol/TG1 ratios showed MICs at 100%. Thus, the feasibility and potential of phytol-loaded SLN was demonstrated in vitro, being a promising nanocarrier for phytol delivery from an anticandidal approach.

Interaction With Fungi Promotes the Accumulation of Specific Defense Molecules in Orchid Tubers and May Increase the Value of Tubers for Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications: The Case Study of Interaction Between Dactylorhiza sp. and Tulasnella calospora

“…A role in resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses is well established for mannitol (increased in response to T. calospora , Figure 4 ), and it serves as both an osmoprotectant and protectant against oxidative stress ( Patel and Williamson, 2016 ). In addition to known antifungal compounds, tubers from inoculated plants accumulated compounds that can provide additional protection against T. calospora , including phytol (antimicrobial activity; Lima et al, 2020 ) and allantoin. Allantoin was the metabolite with the highest accumulation in response to T. calospora (7.9-fold increase, Figure 4 ).…”

Natural product‐based nanomedicine applied to fungal infection treatment: A review of the last 4 years

“…ME and NE have essential oils in their systems, providing better solubilization, absorption, distribution, and antifungal action. However, ME also has disadvantages, such as the high concentration of surfactants with toxicity power and the inhalation of extremely small droplets (Agrawal & Agrawal, 2012; Lima et al, 2020; Lima et al, 2020; Rao & Deepthi, 2009).…”

“…The polydispersity index may vary between 0.1 and 0.5, indicating the homogeneity/ uniformity of the formulations. The ZP, on the other hand, indicates the electronegativity or electropositivity of the particles responsible for the stability of the system (Lima et al, 2020;Lima et al, 2020;Marena et al, 2020;Ramos et al, 2020).…”

“…However, ME also has disadvantages, such as the high concentration of surfactants with toxicity power and the inhalation of extremely small droplets (Agrawal & Agrawal, 2012;Lima et al, 2020;Lima et al, 2020;Rao & Deepthi, 2009).…”

Development of nanostructured lipid carriers loaded caffeic acid topical cream for prevention of inflammation in Wistar rat model

“…In case of AFM study, a drop of each NLCs dispersion was added on a coverslip and allowed to dry in a vacuum oven at 35ᵒC till it forms the thin and dried film. The dried thin film was analyzed using AFM with required modification (Bruker Innova, Bruker corporations, MA) (Lima et al, 2020). TEM was used for analysing the morphology of the NLCs by negative staining of thin film of NLCs dispersion with 0.2% w/v sodium phosphotungstate solution and tissue paper was used for wiping the excess solution.…”