Dual nanocarrier of chlorhexidine and fluconazole: physicochemical characterization and effects on microcosm biofilms and oral keratinocytes

Heitor Ceolin Araujo, Juliano Pelim Pessan, Anne Caroline Morais Caldeirão, Caio Sampaio, Sandra Helena Penha Oliveira, Douglas Henrique Sales, Silvio Rainho Teixeira, Carlos José Leopoldo Constantino, Alberto Carlos Botazzo Delbem, Sandra Helena Penha Oliveira, Gordon Ramage, Douglas Roberto Monteiro*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
56 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives: This study assembled and characterized a dual nanocarrier of chlorhexidine (CHX) and fluconazole (FLZ), and evaluated its antibiofilm and cytotoxic effects. Methods: CHX and FLZ were added to iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) previously coated by chitosan (CS) and characterized by physical-chemical analyses. Biofilms from human saliva supplemented with Candida species were grown (72 h) on glass discs and treated (24 h) with IONPs-CS carrying CHX (at 39, 78, or 156 µg/mL) and FLZ (at 156, 312, or 624 µg/mL) in three growing associations. IONPs and CS alone, and 156 µg/mL CHX + 624 µg/mL FLZ (CHX156-FLZ624) were tested as controls. Next, microbiological analyses were performed. The viability of human oral keratinocytes (NOKsi lineage) was also determined (MTT reduction assay). Data were submitted to ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis, followed by Fisher's LSD or Tukey's tests (α=0.05). Results: Nanocarriers with spherical-like shape and diameter around 6 nm were assembled, without compromising the crystalline property and stability of IONPs. Nanocarrier at the highest concentrations was the most effective in reducing colony-forming units of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp., Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata. The other carriers and CHX156-FLZ624 showed similar antibiofilm effects, and significantly reduced lactic acid production (p<0.001). Also, a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against oral keratinocytes was observed for the dual nanocarrier. IONPs-CS-CHX-FLZ and CHX-FLZ significantly reduced keratinocyte viability at CHX and FLZ concentrations ≥7.8 and 31.25 µg/mL, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: The nanotherapy developed outperformed the effect of the combination CHX-FLZ on microcosm biofilms, without increasing the cytotoxic effect of the antimicrobials administered. Clinical Significance: The dual nanocarrier is a promising topically-applied therapy for the management of oral candidiasis considering that its higher antibiofilm effects allow the use of lower concentrations of antimicrobials than those found in commercial products.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104699
JournalJournal of Dentistry
Volume138
Early online date19 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Biofilms
  • Candida
  • Chlorhexidine
  • Cytotoxicity
  • Fluconazole
  • Iron oxide nanoparticles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dual nanocarrier of chlorhexidine and fluconazole: physicochemical characterization and effects on microcosm biofilms and oral keratinocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this