Cocrystal-inspired glycyrrhizic acid-azole nanoassemblies for synergistic biofilm disruption and immune modulation in fungal infections.

ABSTRACT: Fungal biofilms represent a major therapeutic hurdle due to their drug resistance and immune evasion. Here, we report a cocrystal-inspired nano-assembly strategy that co-assembles glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a natural triterpenoid saponin, with azole antifungal agents into multifunctional nanoparticles. The GA-azole co-assemblies, stabilized via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, exhibit cocrystal-like properties while preserving the bioactivities of both components. This hybrid nanoplatform improves azole solubility and permeability and leverages GA's intrinsic membrane-disrupting, ROS-scavenging, and immunomodulatory effects. Mechanistic studies revealed that the nanoparticles effectively disrupted Candida albicans biofilms by impairing matrix structure and suppressing hyphal for

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12871005 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature