Work

Dual-active clotrimazole–methyl eugenol topical gel: in vitro antibiofilm activity against Candida spp. and benchmarking versus commercial topical antifungals

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: The purpose of this paper was to develop a dual-active topical gel combining clotrimazole (0.5%) and methyl eugenol (0.15%) and to evaluate its planktonic and antibiofilm efficacy against Candida spp., cytocompatibility, pharmaceutical performance, and benchmarking versus commercial antifungals. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antimicrobial activity was measured by CLSI-adapted agar diffusion and broth microdilution against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida tropicalis PNT31, and azole-tolerant Candida glabrata (ND31, ND32, 961), together with four representative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212). Biofilm inhibition was quantified in a 96-well static model using the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50-MBIC100). The gel achieved minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 125-250 µg·mL-1 and MBIC50 values 2-4 × the MICs. Compared with Canesten® and Daktarin®, MIC and MBIC50 values were consistently lower (≈30-35% lower for azole-tolerant C. glabrata isolates). Cell viability remained > 85% at MIC/MBIC50, rheology was shear-thinning/thixotropic, and active contents were ≥ 96% retained during stability testing. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro, the clotrimazole-methyl eugenol gel showed low MIC/MBIC50 values (including against azole-tolerant C. glabrata), maintained cytocompatibility (>85% viability at MIC/MBIC50), and demonstrated robust pharmaceutical attributes, supporting further in vivo validation for biofilm-associated candidiasis.

Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology

DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxag015

Authors: Dang Anh Tuan, Jan Masak

Institution: University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Language: English

Topic: Antifungal resistance and susceptibility

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,777