A new study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics utilized mucoadhesive liquid crystalline systems (MLCSs) consisting of oleic acid and ergosterol 5:1 (w/w) as the oily phase, PPG-5-CETETH-20 as the surfactant, and a polymer dispersion of 1% chitosan as the aqueous phase, for the application of curcumin (CUR) - (MLCS-CUR), in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro. The results showed increased mucoadhesive strength of these formulations in vitro. Rheology analyses revealed long-lasting action of the formulation at the infected site. The in vitro antimicrobial activity assays indicated that CUR has antifungal activity against Candida albicans, determined after its incorporation into the MLCS. In addition, MLCS-CUR was found to be more effective in vivo in controlling vaginal infection when compared to fluconazole therapy. Immunological assays revealed that the ratio of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β) to anti-inflammatory (TGF-β) cytokines was decreased and that there was a reduction in the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils recruited to the vaginal lumen. The findings suggested that treatment with MLCS-CUR was effective in modulating the inflammatory reaction associated with Candida albicans infection. Hence, it was concluded that MLCSs could potentially be used in the treatment of VVC with CUR.