In vitro and in vivo activity of chelerythrine against Candida albicans and underlying mechanisms

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 1545-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Gong ◽  
Siwen Li ◽  
Weixin Wang ◽  
Yiman Li ◽  
Wenli Ma ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate whether chelerythrine (CHT) exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials & methods: Broth microdilution assay and Galleria mellonella model were used to evaluate the antifungal effect in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mechanism studies were investigated by morphogenesis observation, Fluo-3/AM, DCFH-DA and rhodamine6G assay, respectively. Results: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans and preformed biofilms with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 2 to 16 μg/ml. Besides, CHT protected G. mellonella larvae infected by C. albicans. Mechanisms studies revealed that CHT inhibited hyphal growth, increased intracellular calcium concentration, induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited drug transporter activity. Conclusion: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
Tecla Ciociola ◽  
Pier Paolo Zanello ◽  
Tiziana D’Adda ◽  
Serena Galati ◽  
Stefania Conti ◽  
...  

The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternative strategies to combat infections. From this perspective, there is a considerable interest in natural molecules obtained from different sources, which are shown to be active against microorganisms, either alone or in association with conventional drugs. In this paper, peptides with the same sequence of fragments, found in human serum, derived from physiological proteins, were evaluated for their antifungal activity. A 13-residue peptide, representing the 597–609 fragment within the albumin C-terminus, was proved to exert a fungicidal activity in vitro against pathogenic yeasts and a therapeutic effect in vivo in the experimental model of candidal infection in Galleria mellonella. Studies by confocal microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the peptide penetrates and accumulates in Candida albicans cells, causing gross morphological alterations in cellular structure. These findings add albumin to the group of proteins, which already includes hemoglobin and antibodies, that could give rise to cryptic antimicrobial fragments, and could suggest their role in anti-infective homeostasis. The study of bioactive fragments from serum proteins could open interesting perspectives for the development of new antimicrobial molecules derived by natural sources.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo L Fabri ◽  
Jhamine C O Freitas ◽  
Ari S O Lemos ◽  
Lara M Campos ◽  
Irley O M Diniz ◽  
...  

Abstract Spilanthol is a bioactive alkylamide from the native Amazon plant species, Acmella oleracea. However, antifungal activities of spilanthol and its application to the therapeutic treatment of candidiasis remains to be explored. This study sought to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of spilanthol previously isolated from A. oleracea (spilanthol(AcO)) against Candida albicans ATCC® 10231™, a multidrug-resistant fungal strain. Microdilution methods were used to determine inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of spilanthol(AcO). In planktonic cultures, the fungal growth kinetics, yeast cell metabolic activity, cell membrane permeability and cell wall integrity were investigated. The effect of spilanthol(AcO) on the proliferation and adhesion of fungal biofilms was evaluated by whole slide imaging and scanning electron microscopy. The biochemical composition of the biofilm matrix was also analyzed. In parallel, spilanthol(AcO) was tested in vivo in an experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis model. Our in vitro analyses in C. albicans planktonic cultures detected a significant inhibitory effect of spilanthol(AcO), which affects both yeast cell membrane and cell wall integrity, interfering with the fungus growth. C. albicans biofilm proliferation and adhesion, as well as, carbohydrates and DNA in biofilm matrix were reduced after spilanthol(AcO) treatment. Moreover, infected rats treated with spilanthol(AcO) showed consistent reduction of both fungal burden and inflammatory processes compared to the untreated animals. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that spilanthol(AcO) is an bioactive compound against planktonic and biofilm forms of a multidrug resistant C. albicans strain. Furthermore, spilanthol(AcO) can be potentially considered for therapeutical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans. Lay Abstract This study sought to evaluate the antifungal activity of spilanthol against Candida albicans ATCC® 10 231™, a multidrug-resistant fungal strain. Our findings demonstrated that spilanthol(AcO) can be potentially considered for therapeutical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans.


2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1640-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomu Hanaoka ◽  
Yukie Takano ◽  
Kazutoshi Shibuya ◽  
Hajime Fugo ◽  
Yoshimasa Uehara ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Protein phosphatases are critical for the regulation of many cellular processes. Null mutants of 21 putative protein phosphatases of Candida albicans were constructed by consecutive allele replacement using the URA3 and ARG4 marker genes. A simple silkworm model of C. albicans infection was used to screen the panel of mutants. Four null mutant (cmp1Δ, yvh1Δ, sit4Δ, and ptc1Δ) strains showed attenuated virulence in the silkworm model relative to that of control and parental strains. Three of the mutants, the cmp1Δ, yvh1Δ, and sit4Δ mutants, had previously been identified as affecting virulence in a conventional mouse model, indicating the validity of the silkworm model screen. Disruption of the putative protein phosphatase gene PTC1 of C. albicans, which has 52% identity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2C protein phosphatase PTC1, significantly reduced virulence in the silkworm model. The mutant was also avirulent in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. Reintroducing either of the C. albicans PTC1 alleles into the disruptant strain, using a cassette containing either allele under the control of a constitutive ACT1 promoter, restored virulence in both infection models. Characterization of ptc1Δ revealed other phenotypic traits, including reduced hyphal growth in vitro and in vivo, and reduced extracellular proteolytic activity. We conclude that PTC1 may contribute to pathogenicity in C. albicans.


Author(s):  
Luana Pereira Borba-Santos ◽  
Thayná Lopes Barreto ◽  
Taissa Vila ◽  
Kung Darh Chi ◽  
Fabiana dos Santos Monti ◽  
...  

Sporotrichosis has become an important zoonosis in Brazil and Sporothrix brasiliensis is the primary species transmitted by cats. Improvement of animal treatment will help control and limit the spread and geographic expansion of sporotrichosis. Accordingly, buparvaquone, an antiprotozoal hydroxynaphthoquinone agent marketed as Butalex®, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against feline-borne isolates of S. brasiliensis . Buparvaquone inhibited in vitro fungal growth at concentrations 4-fold lower than itraconazole (the first-choice antifungal used for sporotrichosis) and was 408 times more selective for S. brasiliensis than mammalian cells. Yeasts treated with a subinhibitory concentration of buparvaquone exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS and neutral lipid accumulation, and impaired plasma membranes. Also, scanning electron microscopy images revealed buparvaquone altered cell wall integrity and induced cell disruption. I n vivo experiments in a Galleria mellonella model revealed that buparvaquone (single dose of 5 mg/kg) is more effective than itraconazole against infections with S. brasiliensis yeasts. Combined, our results indicate that buparvaquone has a great in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against S. brasiliensis , revealing the potential application of this drug as an alternative treatment for feline sporotrichosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Robert Klotoe ◽  
Brice Armand Fanou ◽  
Eric Agbodjento ◽  
Arnaud Houehou ◽  
Lauris Fah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a widespread mycotic infection that affects a large proportion of women of childbearing age. Its management in traditional medicine is based on the use of medicinal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Ocimum gratissimum L., Lantana camara L. and Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. & Diels used in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis in Benin. Results The data obtained from the in vitro antifungal test show that the strains tested (ATCC 90028 and two clinical strains: 1MA and 3MA) were more sensitive to aqueous extracts with a better effect for Pteleopsis suberosa. This potential of the tested extracts correlated with their richness in total polyphenols. The extract of the Pteleopsis suberosa was very active on the inhibition of the reference strain ATCC 90028. On the clinical strains (1MA and 3MA) the aqueous extract of Pteleopsis suberosa showed a better MIC on the 1MA strain. In vivo model, inoculation of 100 µL of the concentrated Candida albicans suspension 1.5 × 105 UFC/mL induced the candidiasis of the female Wistar rat. The treatment with the aqueous extract of Pteleopsis suberosa, like fluconazole (reference drug), significantly reduced Candida albicans infection at a dose of 100 mg/kg after 1, 7 and 13 days of treatment. Conclusion This study revealed the potential antifungal of the Ocimum gratissimum, Lantana camara and Pteleopsis suberosa. Pteleopsis suberosa has better antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo. These observations justify the use of their medicinal plant in the traditional treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis in Benin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arumugam Priya ◽  
Anthonymuthu Selvaraj ◽  
Dass Divya ◽  
Ramalingam Karthik Raja ◽  
Shunmugiah Karutha Pandian

Early childhood caries (ECC), a severe form of caries due to cross-kingdom interaction of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, is a serious childhood dental disease that affects majority of the children with poor background. The present study investigated the anti-infective potential of thymol against C. albicans and S. mutans dual species for the management of ECC. Thymol, a plant derivative of the monoterpene group, has been well known for its numerous biological activities. Thymol at 300 μg/ml concentration completely arrested growth and proliferation of dual species of C. albicans and S. mutans. Rapid killing efficacy of pathogens, within a span of 2 min, was observed in the time kill assay. In addition, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, thymol effectively diminished the biofilm formation and virulence of both C. albicans and S. mutans such as yeast-to-hyphal transition, hyphal-to-yeast transition, filamentation, and acidogenicity and acidurity, respectively, in single and dual species state. qPCR analysis was consistent with virulence assays. Also, through the invertebrate model system Galleria mellonella, in vivo toxicity and efficacy of the phytocompound was assessed, and it was found that no significant toxic effect was observed. Moreover, thymol was found to be proficient in diminishing the infection under single and dual state in in vivo condition. Overall, the results from the present study illustrate the anti-infective potential of thymol against the ECC-causing dual species, C. albicans and S. mutans, and the applicability of thymol in medicated dentifrice formulation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-655
Author(s):  
Gabriel O. de Azambuja ◽  
Laura Svetaz ◽  
Itamar L. Gonçalves ◽  
Patricia F. Corbelini ◽  
Gilsane L. von Poser ◽  
...  

Background: Since the Monastrol discovery in 1999 as the first inhibitor of Eg5, functionalized dihydropyrimidinones/thiones (DHPMs) have emerged as prototypes for drug design in different targets. The present work aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of a chemical library of DHPMs. Methods: The compounds were obtained employing Biginelli reaction. Their antifungal activities were assessed against C. neoformans and C. albicans. Results: The compounds 1-i and 1-k inhibited moderately the fungal growth of C. neoformans, with compound 2-k presenting MIC80 values of 62.5-125 µg·mL-1. Considering activity against C. albicans, the compounds 1-i and 1-n present an MIC50 value of 125-250 µg·mL-1. Conclusion: The changes performed in DHPM scaffold appear to be valuable for generating compounds with potential antifungal effect.


2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2746-2754 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Aviles ◽  
C. Falcoz ◽  
M. J. Guillén ◽  
R. San Roman ◽  
F. Gómez De Las Heras ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The antifungal effect of GM 237354, a sordarin derivative, was studied in an in vitro pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic dynamic system (bioreactor) which reproduces PK profiles observed in a previously described model of drug efficacy against murine systemic candidiasis. Immunocompetent mice infected intravenously with 105 CFU of Candida albicans were treated with GM 237354 at 2.5, 10, and 40 mg/kg of body weight every 8 h subcutaneously for 7 days. Free concentrations in serum were calculated by multiplying total concentrations measured in vivo by 0.05, the free fraction determined in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. In the bioreactor the inoculum was ≈106 CFU/ml; and a one-compartment PK model was used to reproduce the PK profiles of free and total GM 237354 in serum obtained in mice, and clearance of C. albicans was measured over 48 h. A good correlation was observed when the in vivo fungal kidney burden and the area under the survival time curve were compared with the in vitro broth “burden,” although only when free in vivo levels in serum were reproduced in vitro. GM 237354 displayed a 3-log decrease effect both in vivo and in vitro. The very few reports available on in vitro-in vivo correlations have been obtained with antibiotics. The good in vitro-in vivo correlation obtained with an antifungal agent shows that the in vitro dynamic system could constitute a powerful investigational tool prior to assessment of the efficacy of an anti-infective agent in animals and humans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Liliana Scorzoni ◽  
Ana Carolina Alves de Paula e Silva ◽  
Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira ◽  
Claudia Tavares dos Santos ◽  
Junya de Lacorte Singulani ◽  
...  

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a chronic disease that causes sequelae and requires prolonged treatment; therefore, new therapeutic approaches are necessary. In view of this, three peptides from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis 14-3-3 protein were selected based on its immunogenicity and therapeutic potential. Methods: The in vitro antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the 14-3-3 peptides were evaluated. The influence of the peptides in immunological and survival aspects was evaluated in vivo, using Galleria mellonella and the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Results: None of the peptides were toxic to HaCaT (skin keratinocyte), MRC-5 (lung fibroblast), and A549 (pneumocyte) cell lines, and only P1 exhibited antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides spp. The peptides could induce an immune response in G. mellonella. Moreover, the peptides caused a delay in the death of Paracoccidioides spp. infected larvae. Regarding C. elegans, the three peptides were able to increase the expression of the antimicrobial peptides. These peptides had essential effects on different aspects of Paracoccidioides spp. infection showing potential for a therapeutic vaccine. Future studies using mammalian methods are necessary to validate our findings.


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