Double-Layer Magnetic Microspheres with Dual Drug Delivery of Antibacterial and Maintenance Agents for the Treatment of Candida albicans Vaginitis

Candida vaginitis (CV) is the most common fungal infection among gynecological diseases, caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans). Traditional treatment for CV has led to increased antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment and indiscriminately killing both pathogens and beneficial bacteria in the vagina. Additionally, the inconvenience of traditional vaginal administration and the short residence time of treatments pose significant challenges. We developed a safe and effective combination drug delivery platform featuring magnetic bilayer gel microspheres to combine antibacterial properties and maintain the balance of the microbial community. This platform was characterized through a series of in vitro tests evaluating its dissolution, adherence, and retention properties, graded slow release, and antimicrobial effects. In vivo studies using CV mice models were conducted to assess antifungal properties, microecological regulation, magnetic residency, safety, and other related aspects. The results demonstrated that the material effectively inhibits the growth of C. albicans. It also increases the drug's residence time in the body and successfully releases probiotics, thereby improving vaginal microecology and promoting the recovery of inflammation to normal levels. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach for managing C. albicans vaginitis.