Researchers develop oil-based drug delivery systems to treat fungal infections

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have developed an essential-oil-based drug delivery systems to treat fungal infections without running the risk of inducing drug resistance.

This medication can even counter fungi that have developed resistance to conventional antifungal drugs.

Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi have a remarkable capacity to evolve resistance to antimicrobial agents used to destroy them.

The research was led by Dr. Mudrika Khandelwal, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, and supported with funds by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Grants from the American multinational conglomerate AT&T.

With the results of this work, the researchers are developing prototype antifungal hygiene products with the financial support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower emerging Biotech enterprises.

Highlighting the need for developing alternate, non-resistance inducing treatment options for fungal diseases, Dr. Mudrika Khandelwal, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, said, “Given the prevalence of fungal infections such as vaginal infections, diaper rash, athlete’s foot, and nail fungus, caused by the Candida family of fungi, drug resistance can become lifethreatening.”

The IIT Hyderabad team turned to natural products to solve this problem.