A Breaking Barriers: An Advancing 5-Flucytosine Delivery with Hydrogel Formulation

Abstract

Background: Wound healing is a complex physiological process that involves a cascade of events, from inflammation to tissue remodeling. Impaired wound healing can lead to chronic wounds, which are painful and susceptible to various infections, including fungal ones. Candida and Cryptococcus infections are particularly troublesome due to their resistance to conventional treatments. In this context, hydrogels have emerged as promising drug delivery and wound management vehicles. Materials and Methods: The hydrogel, made from 5-flucytosine, chitosan, and pectin, provides a moist environment for wound healing and creates a barrier against infections. In this study, four hydrogel formulations containing 5-FC, chitosan, pectin, and 0.1 M HCl were developed and. they were optimized for various parameters, including drug concentration, polymer ratio, and crosslinking density. Dependent variables maximize drug release, gel stability, and other desired properties. Hydrogel Base includes natural and synthetic material that exhibits desirable properties, such as high water absorption capacity and gel stability. Results: Formulations evaluated for their compatibility, Physical properties, Spreadability, Viscosity, Rheological studies, pH, Ex vivo Skin Permeation Study, Structural and Morphological Analysis, Swelling Index, Anti-fungal Activity Studies, the hydrogel's effectiveness against C. albicans was demonstrated in an experiment, with the F-3 formulation showing the most effective anti-fungal properties. Conclusion: The 5-FC hydrogel presented a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by chronic wounds and fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]