Abstract
Yeasts belonging to the Candida genus are important human pathogens. Candida biofilm is the most common resistance mechanism, which could increase in 1000 times the resistance to antifungal drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of synthetic peptides, as well as action mechanisms and synergistic effect with Nystatin (NYS) and Itraconazole (ITR) by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fluorescence Microscopy (FM). ITR (1000 µg. mL− 1) inhibited 10% of biofilm formation of C. krusei and NYS (1000 µg. mL− 1) 40% of C. albicans. Regarding synergistic effect, peptides enhance 7-fold the action of ITR to inhibit the biofilm formation of C. krusei and C. albicans, as well as the degradation of formed biofilm of C. krusei. The action mechanism of peptides or in combination with antifungal drugs involved cell wall damage, membrane pore formation, loss of cytoplasmic content, and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Docking analysis revealed ionic and hydrophobic interactions between peptides and both drugs, which may explain the synergistic effect. Altogether, our results suggest the high potential of synthetic peptides be employed as adjuvants enhancing the activity of antifungal drugs to overcome the resistance provided by fungal biofilm and decrease the toxicity of drugs.
5) Novel Insight into Physiological and Pathophysiological Roles of Adipocytes -Elucidation of Adiponectin Receptors AdipoRs Action Mechanisms and Clinical Application-
