IIT H develops essential oil-based drug delivery systems to

: Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad on Tuesday saidit has developed an essential-oil- based drug delivery systems to treat fungal infections.

This medication can even counter fungi that has developed resistance to conventional antifungal drugs, an IIT-H release said.

The research, led by Mudrika Khandelwal, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, was published in the international peer-reviewed journal'Materialia', it said.

With the results of this work, the researchers are developing prototype antifungal hygiene products with financial support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council,set up by the Department of Biotechnology.

Highlighting the need to develop alternate,non-resistance inducing treatment options for fungal diseases, Khandelwal said: "Given the prevalence of fungal infections such as vaginal infections, diaper rash, athletes foot and nail fungus caused by the Candida family of fungi, drug resistance can become life-threatening."