Thermosensitive and mucoadhesive Xanthan gum-based hydrogel for local release of anti-Candida peptide

A thermoresponsive and mucoadhesive hydrogel has been developed for the local delivery of a novel anti- Candida peptide. This antimicrobial peptide was custom-designed and synthesized, utilizing a natural peptide identified in the hemolymph of the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii as a molecular scaffold. The hydrogel, fabricated from a xanthan gum/poly-N-isopropylacrylamide graft copolymer, demonstrates temperature- dependent viscoelastic properties and a pseudoplastic behaviour, making it suitable for potential administra- tion in various tissues. Moreover, the high stability of the hydrogel (about 9 % weight loss after 24 h of incu- bation) in physiological fluids as well as its mucoadhesive properties indicate that it could withstand in the application site long enough to perform its intended function. Furthermore, the good cytocompatibility of the hydrogel and the peptide’s release profile (approximately 90 % release within the first 24 h), coupled with its efficacy in inhibiting fungal growth (logarithmic reduction of 1.08 compared to the control), validates the prospective application of the formulation in managing mucosal and superficial skin C. albicans infections. This not only addresses concerns related to drug resistance but also establishes the hydrogel as a versatile platform for advanced drug delivery systems aimed at circumventing systemic administration of antifungal drugs for the treatment of superficial skin and mucosal candidiasis.