Antifungal effect of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with atorvastatin against candida yeast species as the most common cause of denture stomatitis

Objective(s): Statins have been used to treat denture stomatitis due to their antifungal properties. However, the side effects associated with these drugs have limited their broader application. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effects of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with atorvastatin (AT-SLN) against the most common Candida species, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, which are frequently implicated in denture stomatitis.Materials and Methods: AT-SLN was synthesized using an ultrasonication method in this experimental study. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 11 C. albicans and 5 C. glabrata isolates were determined against AT-SLN, atorvastatin (AT), and nystatin (NYS), following the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines (M27-A3 and M27-S4).Results: The results showed that AT-SLN exhibited the lowest polydispersity index with the optimal hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. Significant differences were observed in the MICs of AT-SLN, AT, and NYS against both C. albicans (P<0.001) and C. glabrata (P = 0.005) isolates. AT-SLN-treated isolates demonstrated significantly reduced MICs (P<0.001). No significant differences were found in the inhibitory effects of AT (P=0.542) and NYS (P=0.526) between C. albicans and C. glabrata.Conclusion: The findings suggest that AT-SLN may represent a promising antifungal agent for treating denture stomatitis. Further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm these results.