In vitro and in vivo anticandidal activities of alginate-enclosed chitosan–calcium phosphate-loaded Fe-bovine lactoferrin nanocapsules

AIM: To study the in vitro and in vivo anticandidal activity of nanocapsulated bovine lactoferrin. MATERIALS & METHODS: In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities were conducted to study the anticandidal activities of nanocapsules (NCs). RESULTS: The NCs showed good anticandidal activities. The disruption of cell wall and cell membrane was noted via microscopy studies. The NCs changed the normal growth profile of Candida albicans. NCs reduced the colony forming unit in kidney and blood samples. Histopathological examination showed better cell structure and coordination compared with untreated mice kidney. NCs also enhanced the natural killing properties of C. albicans by epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: NCs have effective anticandidal properties and have the potential as a therapeutic agent against candidiasis.