Comparison of fluconazole and tea tree oil hydrogels designed for oral candidiasis: An invitro study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal activity of two hydrogel patches and evaluate their effectiveness in treating oral candidiasis. Three different hydrogels were prepared (2 test groups and a control group). A Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) hydrogel was formulated which was used as the control. The two test groups consisted of HPMC gel into which Fluconazole was incorporated, and the second group consisted of HPMC gel incorporated with tea tree oil. The amount of drug released from the formulation was calculated. The biocompatibility of the samples was assessed using MTT assay on UMR106 cell lines that were cultured on DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium). The viability of these cells was assessed for 24 hrs. The Tea tree oil, Fluconazole and control group showed half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 228.5μg/ml, 168.6?μg/ml and 90.34?μg/ml inhibition on UMR106 cells respectively. The highest inhibition was seen with tea tree followed by fluconazole. The antifungal activity of hydrogels was evaluated using well diffusion method where the zone of inhibition was observed. Fluconazole patch showed 09±0.0mm and tea tree showed 08±0.0mm inhibition on Potato Dextrose Broth. The addition of both Tea tree Oil and Fluconazole has an inhibitory effect on Candida albicans and can be used in preventing denture candidiasis.