In-vitro and In-vivo Evaluation of Niosomes Containing Clotrimazole
Niosomes, cholesterol, Candida albicans
Vesicular systems are novel means of drug delivery in controlled manner, to enhance bioavailability and get therapeutic effect over a longer period of time. Niosomes are such hydrated vesicular systems obtained by hydration of synthetic non-ionic surfactants along with cholesterol or other lipids delivering drug to targeted site. The structure and properties of niosomes are similar to those of liposomes, but the chemical stability as well as the relatively low cost of materials used to prepare niosomes makes them more applicable than liposomes for industrial productions in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Their in-vivo behaviour follows the pattern of other colloidal drug delivery systems, which are biocompatible, biodegradable and non-immunogenic.Candida albicans and limited number of other Candida species are part of the normal commensal flora of mucosal surfaces. When either local or systemic host defence mechanisms are impaired, Candida species can cause oropharyngeal, esophageal or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Also, in susceptible hosts, Candida albicans can penetrate the gastrointestinal mucosa and enter the bloodstream causing haematogenous disseminated candidiasis. When this organism proliferates, it may produce symptomatic infections ranging from relatively trivial conditions, such as oral and genital thrush, to crucial, systemic super infections in immunodepressed and chemotherapy patients.