Recent Advances in Vaginal Delivery for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal infection caused by candida species, affecting 70% of the women. It may occur due to the imbalance in the vaginal micro- biodata, pregnancy, diabetes, use of antibiotics, frequent sexual activities or AIDS.The main aim of this review is to provide overview about different vaginal delivery systems for the administration of antifungal agents like conventional, mucoadhesive and muco-penetrating delivery systems.The conventional delivery systems available have limited efficacy due to the less residence time and adverse effects. In order to overcome these issues, a delivery system with mucoadhesive and muco-penetrating properties is required. Mucoadhesive polymers have excellent binding properties with mucin and thus increasing residence time. On the other hand, muco-penetrating polymers transport the antifungal agents across the mucus layer.This review summarizes the pathophysiology of VVC along with novel delivery systems for the treatment of infection through mucoadhesive and muco-penetrating approaches. Surface modifications of nano/ microparticles with mucoadhesive or muco-penetrating particles may provide delivery systems with improved therapeutic efficacy.Based on the available data, conventional and mucoadhesive drug delivery systems have some limitations, they still require improvement/ development for safe and effective delivery of antifungal agents.