Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of Berberine–Chlorogenic Acid and Its Phytosome-Based Hydrogel Against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an important fungal pathogen associated with superficial and opportunistic infections, highlighting the need for effective topical antifungal formulations. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of an optimized berberine–chlorogenic acid (B+CA) phytosome-based hydrogel against C. albicans and compare its performance with the pure B+CA combination and ketoconazole. The optimized F1 formulation contained berberine and chlorogenic acid in a 1:1 ratio and was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. Ketoconazole served as the standard antifungal drug, while normal control and blank hydrogel were included as controls. Antifungal activity was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) following incubation. The results demonstrated that the B+CA phytosome-based hydrogel produced a ZOI of 22.90 mm, whereas the pure B+CA combination exhibited a ZOI of 18.50 mm. The optimized F1 formulation showed an approximately 23.8% greater inhibition-zone diameter than the pure combination, indicating improved antifungal performance following phytosome-based incorporation into the hydrogel matrix. Ketoconazole demonstrated the highest antifungal activity, with a ZOI of 31.44 mm. Neither the normal control nor the blank hydrogel produced a measurable inhibition zone. The enhanced activity of F1 may be associated with improved dispersion and presentation of the active constituents and the contribution of the hydrogel matrix to formulation retention and diffusion. In conclusion, the findings support the potential of the B+CA phytosome-based hydrogel as a promising topical antifungal formulation. Further safety, skin compatibility, and in vivo studies are required to establish its therapeutic suitability.

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