Fig. 9

Treatment of VVC mice with FA containing gels reduced Candida vaginal burden after 5 days. A Candida CFU assay of vaginal lavage fluid. B Candida culture of vaginal lavage fluid on YPD agar. FLC-FA gel was the most effective treatment followed by FA gel. C Photomicrograph of female mice vagina 48 h post C. albicans infection showing presence of hyphae contact to the mucosal surface (arrows head) with cystic dilation of some glands (arrows) hyperplasia of stratified epithelium was detected without ulceration. D Photomicrograph of female mice vagina 5 days post C. albicans infection showing the presence of few hyphae contact to the mucosal surface (arrows head) with the presence of endocytosed hyphae in the mucosa (arrows). E Photomicrograph of female mice vagina infected with C. albicans and treated with FLC gel showing the presence of hyphae threads contact to the mucosal surface (arrows) with peri glandular inflammatory cells infiltration (arrows head). F Photomicrograph of female mice vagina infected with C. albicans and treated with FA gel showing the presence of hyphae threads contact to the mucosal surface (arrows head) with mild congestion of submucosal blood vessels (arrows). G Photomicrograph of female mice vagina infected with C. albicans and treated with FLC-FA gel showing minimal threads of hyphae contact to the mucosal surface (arrows head) with mild perivascular inflammatory cells infiltration (arrow) and normal mucosa. H Photomicrograph of female mice vagina (negative or vehicle control group) showing apparently normal mucosal and submucosal tissue with no evidence of fungal infection. Data displayed was mean ± standard error and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test. ***: P < 0.001, ns; non-significant. Scale bar used in histopathological analysis is 100 µm