Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization
<i>Candida auris</i> is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with a high affinity for skin colonization and significant potential for nosocomial transmission. This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with nystatin and propolis as a topical antif...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/498 |
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| author | Andra-Cristina Bostănaru-Iliescu Andra-Cristina Enache Ionuț Iulian Lungu Corneliu Cojocaru Robert Capotă Paula Cucu Maria Liliana Iliescu Valeria Harabagiu Mihai Mareș Alina Stefanache |
| author_facet | Andra-Cristina Bostănaru-Iliescu Andra-Cristina Enache Ionuț Iulian Lungu Corneliu Cojocaru Robert Capotă Paula Cucu Maria Liliana Iliescu Valeria Harabagiu Mihai Mareș Alina Stefanache |
| author_sort | Andra-Cristina Bostănaru-Iliescu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Candida auris</i> is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with a high affinity for skin colonization and significant potential for nosocomial transmission. This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with nystatin and propolis as a topical antifungal strategy for skin decolonization of <i>C. auris</i>. The formulations were selected based on our previous results and optimized for cutaneous application. The internal structure of the hydrogels was investigated by polarized light microscopy, confirming the amorphous nature of propolis and the partial dispersion of nystatin. The antifungal activity was assessed against ten fluconazole-resistant <i>C. auris</i> strains. The CS-NYS-PRO1 formulation demonstrated the highest antifungal performance in the agar test, also reducing viable cell counts to undetectable levels within 6 h. Time–kill assays and SEM imaging confirmed the rapid fungicidal effect and revealed severe membrane disruption and cytoplasmic leakage. Molecular docking analyses indicated the strong binding of nystatin to both sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from <i>C. auris</i>, suggesting complementary membrane and intracellular mechanisms of action. These findings support the use of such hydrogels as a local, non-invasive, and biocompatible strategy for managing <i>C. auris</i> colonization, with promising implications for clinical use in infection control and the prevention of skin-mediated transmission in healthcare settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-68597f6da1ca4ab29df86e15ad63ea03 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj-art-68597f6da1ca4ab29df86e15ad63ea032025-08-20T03:32:27ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-06-0111749810.3390/gels11070498Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin DecolonizationAndra-Cristina Bostănaru-Iliescu0Andra-Cristina Enache1Ionuț Iulian Lungu2Corneliu Cojocaru3Robert Capotă4Paula Cucu5Maria Liliana Iliescu6Valeria Harabagiu7Mihai Mareș8Alina Stefanache9Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of General Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania<i>Candida auris</i> is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with a high affinity for skin colonization and significant potential for nosocomial transmission. This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with nystatin and propolis as a topical antifungal strategy for skin decolonization of <i>C. auris</i>. The formulations were selected based on our previous results and optimized for cutaneous application. The internal structure of the hydrogels was investigated by polarized light microscopy, confirming the amorphous nature of propolis and the partial dispersion of nystatin. The antifungal activity was assessed against ten fluconazole-resistant <i>C. auris</i> strains. The CS-NYS-PRO1 formulation demonstrated the highest antifungal performance in the agar test, also reducing viable cell counts to undetectable levels within 6 h. Time–kill assays and SEM imaging confirmed the rapid fungicidal effect and revealed severe membrane disruption and cytoplasmic leakage. Molecular docking analyses indicated the strong binding of nystatin to both sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from <i>C. auris</i>, suggesting complementary membrane and intracellular mechanisms of action. These findings support the use of such hydrogels as a local, non-invasive, and biocompatible strategy for managing <i>C. auris</i> colonization, with promising implications for clinical use in infection control and the prevention of skin-mediated transmission in healthcare settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/498<i>Candida auris</i>nystatinpropolischitosanhydrogelsantifungal activity |
| spellingShingle | Andra-Cristina Bostănaru-Iliescu Andra-Cristina Enache Ionuț Iulian Lungu Corneliu Cojocaru Robert Capotă Paula Cucu Maria Liliana Iliescu Valeria Harabagiu Mihai Mareș Alina Stefanache Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization Gels <i>Candida auris</i> nystatin propolis chitosan hydrogels antifungal activity |
| title | Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization |
| title_full | Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization |
| title_fullStr | Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization |
| title_short | Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Containing Nystatin and Propolis as a Novel Tool for <i>Candida auris</i> Skin Decolonization |
| title_sort | chitosan based hydrogels containing nystatin and propolis as a novel tool for i candida auris i skin decolonization |
| topic | <i>Candida auris</i> nystatin propolis chitosan hydrogels antifungal activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/498 |
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