title: Fast-acting clotrimazole composited PVP/HPβCD nanofibers for oral candidiasis application.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates fabrication of clotrimazole (CZ)-composited electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (PVP/HPβCD) blended nanofiber mats for oral candidiasis applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  PVP/HPβCD 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Development of Green Innovations Group (PDGIG) Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Prasopchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tonglairoum
authors.forename: Tanasait
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ngawhirunpat
authors.forename: Theerasak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rojanarata
authors.forename: Ruchadaporn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaomongkolgit
authors.forename: Praneet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Opanasopit
mesh_terms: D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy; D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005079:Excipients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011205:Povidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005079:Excipients; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D011205:Povidone; D003022:Clotrimazole