MUCOADESIVE THERMORPONSIVE SYSTEM CONTAINING PROPOLIS IS A NEW PHARMACOTECHNICAL ALTERNATIVE FOR THE TREATMENT OF Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection originated mainly by Microsporum canis that injures the scalp hair follicles. Despite this pathology does not cause morbidity, the visible hair problems can affect the patient's psychological and self-esteem. Generally, the treatment for these diseases is expensive and long duration, raising the need for news antifungal. In the last years, the extract of propolis has been demonstrated relevant antifungal activity, therefore the incorporation of this to a thermo-responsive mucoadhesive that allows the localization and release of propolis in the scalp hair follicles increasing the availability of the extract will could be a new strategy for the treatment of Tinea capitis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro response of M. canis isolate exposed to propolis extract (PE) and to a Mucoadhesive Thermoresponsive System containing Propolis 16% (MTSP 16%). The antifungal susceptibility assay was performed using the broth dilution method, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (M38-A2), with modifications. For this was used a strain of M. canis stored in Medical Mycology, and the PE and MTSP 16% activity was determined by the qualitative (Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC)) and quantitative (Colony Forming Units (CFUs)) reduction of the cell viability, after the exposure to the components for 48 and 72hr. PE and MTSP 16% were tested in 10 concentrations, ranging from 2.680 the 5.23438 μg/mL and 2.534.40 the 158.4 μg/mL of total polyphenols in gallic acid, respectively. After incubation at 25ºC/48 and 72h the MFC was determinate by inoculating each concentration into plates with Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Posteriorly aliquots of the different concentrations were collected, diluted in sterile saline at 0.85% and plated on PDA plates for determination of CFUs. The results demonstrated that M. canis was susceptible to both PE and MTSP 16%. MFC of PE was observed at concentration 670 μl/mL, there being a reduction of 5 logarithmic CFU/mL at both 48 and 72h. In relation to MTSP 16% the MFC was 2534.40 μl/mL, presenting decrease of 6 logarithmic CFU/mL at 48hr and 7 logarithmic CFU/mL at 72hr. In conclusion, it is possible to observe that by incorporating PE in thermoresponsive gel it maintains its potential antifungal to M. canis, being a relevant therapeutic alternative for the treatment of Tinea capitis, since the gel comprises a formulation that conforms to the site of the lesion.