Fungal infection remains a significant therapeutic concern owing to the scarcity of drugs, resistance development, and high levels of toxicity of many conventional antifungals. In this regard, chitosan is one such natural polymer whose biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial nature have made it the focus of scientific interest. However, the main problem lies in the polymer’s limited aqueous solubility under physiological conditions and its poor efficacy against fungi. Thus, quaternary ammonium functionalization represents a convenient approach to solving the problem by introducing permanent positive charges into the molecular structure of chitosan, thereby improving water solubility, enabling membrane interactions, and conferring broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Such derivatives can exhibit strong interactions with the negatively charged surface of fungal cells, compromising membrane integrity and inhibiting biofilm formation. Apart from their antifungal activity, such compounds are also promising in local delivery systems, which include coatings, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and wound dressings. Considering their unique chemistry, such compounds appear quite promising for the development of novel antifungal biomaterials that can be adapted to different clinical and pharmaceutical needs. Overall, quaternary ammonium-modified chitosan could be considered a promising platform for the development of next-generation antifungal agents. This review offers a comprehensive discussion regarding the synthesis, mode of action, formulation advancements, safety profile, potential applications, and future directions of quaternary ammonium-functionalized chitosan derivatives as an antifungal agent, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence contributions to this area of research.

Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss., a wild perennial woody plant, is utilized by local communities for a variety of medicinal purposes. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of the aqueous bark extract of Soymida febrifuga extract (SFE), together with Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography merged with High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS/MS) metabolite profiling. S. febrifuga bark collected from Bilaspur (India) was Soxhlet-extracted with water. Preliminary phytochemical screening and UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS/MS analysis were performed. In vitro assays of DPPH, α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibition, and FRAP assays were conducted. SFE showed a 34.56% yield with rich phytochemicals, including saponins, glycosides, and phenolics. HRMS/MS tentatively identified 25 major metabolites such as quinic acid, catechin, and luteolin. The extract demonstrated the inhibition of α-amylase (IC₅₀ 547.06 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ 562.47 µg/mL). Strong antioxidant activity was observed in DPPH (IC₅₀ 0.71 µg/mL) and FRAP assays. Significant dose-dependent effects were confirmed (p<0.0001). SFE exhibits strong antioxidant and moderate enzyme inhibitory activities, suggesting a synergistic, multi-metabolite mechanism. Further, the in vivo and mechanistic studies need to be validated for their therapeutic potential.

Introduction: Skin diseases caused by superficial fungal infections remain a common global health concern, as they impact 15-25% of the global population. It often requires efficient and targeted treatment options. Nanoemulsion (NE)-based drug delivery systems offer promising solutions to these challenges and enhance treatment efficacy. Owing to their nanoscale droplet size, enhanced solubility, thermodynamic stability, and improved bioavailability, NEs offer an effective solution for delivering poorly water-soluble antifungal drugs directly to infection sites. This review explores the role of NEs in antifungal therapy, beginning with a brief understanding of superficial fungal infections and their treatment challenges. Methods: Formulation components, including oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants, along with optimization strategies using the Design of Experiments (DoE) and pseudoternary phase diagrams, are explored. Results: The application of Quality by Design (QbD) in NE development helps optimize formulation parameters, identify Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), and enhance product performance. Characterization techniques, such as particle size analysis, zeta potential, and drug entrapment efficiency, are also discussed to ensure the stability and efficacy of the formulation. Discussion: Recent advancements, marketed products, and patented formulations highlight the increasing research interest in NEs. However, challenges such as formulation stability, bioavailability concerns, and drug interactions persist, requiring further research and innovation. Conclusion: NEs represent a promising platform for improving antifungal therapy, enhancing drug delivery, and addressing the limitations of existing treatments for superficial fungal infections.