{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]],"date-time":"2026-07-24T14:10:40Z","timestamp":1784902240867,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]],"date-time":"2026-07-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784851200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Pharmaceutics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Oral candidiasis is one of the most prevalent infections among denture wearers and is frequently associated with colonization by Candida albicans. In this context, natural products have been investigated as alternative therapeutic strategies, particularly Punica granatum peel extract and Cinnamomum cassia essential oil, which are recognized for their antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mucoadhesive gel loaded with P. granatum and C. cassia for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Methods: The synergistic potential between the plant materials was assessed using the checkerboard method against C. albicans, and the inhibitory concentration was used as a parameter for the development of the mucoadhesive formulation. The gel was characterized and subsequently evaluated in denture-wearing patients with clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis for 14 days, with the results compared to treatment with nystatin. Results: The combination of plant materials exhibited a synergistic effect, with an inhibitory concentration of 0.1953 mg mL\u22121 for both components. Clinical evaluation demonstrated a satisfactory therapeutic response in patients treated with the gel, with resolution of symptoms at the end of the treatment period. Statistically significant advantages were also observed regarding ease of application, absence of irritation, and reduced interference with speech and swallowing. In contrast, the group treated with nystatin showed only partial clinical improvement, with additional therapy required in some cases. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the mucoadhesive gel represents a promising topical strategy for the management of oral candidiasis in denture wearers. However, studies with longer follow-up periods are required to consolidate the clinical evidence.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics18080914","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]],"date-time":"2026-07-24T13:53:26Z","timestamp":1784901206000},"page":"914","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Mucoadhesive Gel Based on Cinnamomum cassia Essential Oil and Punica granatum Extract for Oral Candidiasis: A Pilot Study of Plant Synergism"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Naira Neri","family":"Santana","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Professional Master\u2019s Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Primary Care, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Larissa Aparecida","family":"Engel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ma\u00edsa Steffani","family":"Adamczuk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maring\u00e1, Maring\u00e1 87080-000, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"},{"name":"Pharmacy Academy, University of Paran\u00e1, Toledo 85903-170, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Talita Anielle de","family":"Assun\u00e7\u00e3o","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pharmacy Academy, University of Paran\u00e1, Toledo 85903-170, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0514-5255","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mariana","family":"Dalmagro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daniella Londero Silva","family":"Batisti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Animal Science with an Emphasis on Bioactive Products, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paula Derksen","family":"Macruz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Maring\u00e1, Maring\u00e1 87080-000, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9175-3520","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Eduardo Jorge","family":"Pilau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratory of Biomolecules and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Maring\u00e1, Maring\u00e1 87080-000, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5762-8091","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lidiane Nunes","family":"Barbosa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Professional Master\u2019s Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Primary Care, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"},{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Animal Science with an Emphasis on Bioactive Products, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4819-6669","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Odair","family":"Alberton","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Professional Master\u2019s Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Primary Care, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"},{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0020-9002","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jaqueline","family":"Hoscheid","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Professional Master\u2019s Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Primary Care, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"},{"name":"Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, University of Paran\u00e1, Umuarama 87502-210, Paran\u00e1, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e113","DOI":"10.1590\/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0113","article-title":"Oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis in diabetic patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"34","author":"Silva","year":"2020","journal-title":"Braz. 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