The antifungal effect of peptides from hymenoptera venom and their analogs

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiřina Slaninová ◽  
Helena Putnová ◽  
Lenka Borovičková ◽  
Pavel Šácha ◽  
Václav Čeřovský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Analog ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Amphipathic Peptides ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Natural Peptides

AbstractAs the occurrence of Candida species infections increases, so does resistance against commonly-used antifungal agents. It is therefore necessary to look for new antifungal drugs. This study investigated the antifungal activity of recently isolated, synthesized and characterized antimicrobial α-helical amphipathic peptides (12–18 amino acids long) from the venom of hymenoptera (melectin, lasioglossins I, II, and III, halictines I and II) as well as a whole series of synthetic analogs. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against different Candida species (C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis) of the natural peptides amounted to 4–20 µM (7–40 mg/l). The most active were the synthetic analog all-D-lasioglossin III and lasioglossin III analog KNWKK-Aib-LGK-Aib-IK-Aib-VK-NH2. As shown using a) colony forming unit determination on agar plates, b) the efflux of the dye from rhodamine 6B-loaded cells, c) propidium iodide and DAPI staining, and d) fluorescently labeled antimicrobial peptide (5(6)-carboxyfluorescein lasioglossin-III), the killing of fungi by the peptides studied occurs within minutes and might be accompanied by a disturbance of all membrane barriers. The peptides represent a promising lead for the development of new, effective antifungal drugs.

scholarly journals Plant-Derived Substances in the Fight Against Infections Caused by Candida Species

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6131
Author(s):  
Ibeth Guevara-Lora ◽  
Grazyna Bras ◽  
Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta ◽  
Miriam González-González ◽  
Kinga Ceballos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces

Yeast-like fungi from the Candida genus are predominantly harmless commensals that colonize human skin and mucosal surfaces, but under conditions of impaired host immune system change into dangerous pathogens. The pathogenicity of these fungi is typically accompanied by increased adhesion and formation of complex biofilms, making candidal infections challenging to treat. Although a variety of antifungal drugs have been developed that preferably attack the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane, these pathogens have acquired novel defense mechanisms that make them resistant to standard treatment. This causes an increase in the incidence of candidiasis and enforces the urgent need for an intensified search for new specifics that could be helpful, alone or synergistically with traditional drugs, for controlling Candida pathogenicity. Currently, numerous reports have indicated the effectiveness of plant metabolites as potent antifungal agents. These substances have been shown to inhibit growth and to alter the virulence of different Candida species in both the planktonic and hyphal form and during the biofilm formation. This review focuses on the most recent findings that provide evidence of decreasing candidal pathogenicity by different substances of plant origin, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of their action. This is a particularly important issue in the light of the currently increasing frequency of emerging Candida strains and species resistant to standard antifungal treatment.

scholarly journals Identification of Fungal Pathogens in Otomycosis and Their Drug Sensitivity: Our Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 400-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Ali ◽  
Mahmood Hamed ◽  
Hameda Hassan ◽  
Amira Esmail ◽  
Abeer Sheneef
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
High Recurrence Rate ◽  
Fungal Culture

Introduction Otomycosis is a common problem in otolaryngology practice. However, we usually encounter some difficulties in its treatment because many patients show resistance to antifungal agents, and present high recurrence rate. Objectives To determine the fungal pathogens that cause otomycosis as well as their susceptibility to the commonly used antifungal agents. Additionally, to discover the main reasons for antifungal resistance. Methods We conducted an experimental descriptive study on 122 patients clinically diagnosed with otomycosis from April 2016 to April 2017. Aural discharge specimens were collected for direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against the commonly used antifungal drugs. We tested the isolated fungi for their enzymatic activity. Results Positive fungal infection was found in 102 samples. The most common fungal pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species, with Aspergillus niger being the predominant isolate (51%). The antifungal susceptibility testing showed that mold isolates had the highest sensitivity to voriconazole (93.48%), while the highest resistance was to fluconazole (100%). For yeast, the highest sensitivity was to nystatin (88.24%), followed by amphotericin B (82.35%), and the highest resistance was to terbinafine (100%), followed by Itraconazole (94.12%). Filamentous fungi expressed a high enzymatic ability, making them more virulent. Conclusion The Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal isolates in otomycosis. Voriconazole and Nystatin are the medications of choice for the treatment of otomycosis in our community. The high virulence of fungal pathogens is owed to their high enzymatic activity. Empirical use of antifungals should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Antifungal effect of cumin essential oil alone and in combination with antifungal drugs

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
SAHADEO PATIL ◽  
PANKAJ MAKNIKAR ◽  
SUSHILKUMAR WANKHADE ◽  
CHANDRAKIRAN UKESH ◽  
MAHENDRA RAI
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Disc Diffusion ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Agar Disc ◽  
Pharmacological Interactions ◽  
Major Chemical ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. Patil S, Maknikar P, Wankhade S, Ukesh C, Rai M. 2015. Antifungal effect of cumin essential oil alone and in combination with antifungal drugs. Nusantara Bioscience 7: 55-59. We report evaluation of antifungal activity of cumin seed oil and its pharmacological interactions when used in combination with some of the widely used conventional antifungal drugs using CLSI broth microdilution, agar disc diffusion and checkerboard microtitre assay against Candida. The essential oil was obtained from cumin seeds using hydrodistillation technique and was later evaluated for the presence of major chemical constituents present in it using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay. The GC-MS assay revealed the abundance of γ-terpinene (35.42%) followed by p-cymene (30.72%). The agar disc diffusion assay demonstrated highly potent antifungal effect against Candida species. Moreover, the combination of cumin essential oil (CEO) with conventional antifungal drugs was found to reduce the individual MIC of antifungal drug suggesting the occurrence of synergistic interactions. Therefore, the therapy involving combinations of CEO and conventional antifungal drugs can be used for reducing the toxicity induced by antifungal drugs and at the same time enhancing their antifungal efficacy in controlling the infections caused due to Candida species.

scholarly journals In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Luliconazole, Efinaconazole, and Nine Comparators Against Aspergillus and Candida Strains Isolated from Otomycosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gholamreza Shokoohi ◽  
Reza Rouhi ◽  
Mohammad Etehadnezhad ◽  
Bahram Ahmadi ◽  
Javad Javidnia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
High Recurrence Rate ◽  
Broth Microdilution ◽  
In Vitro Antifungal Activity

Background: Aspergillus and Candida species are the most commonly identified fungal pathogens in otomycosis. However, we usually encounter some difficulties in its treatment because many patients show resistance to antifungal agents and present a high recurrence rate. Objectives: The current research was conducted to compare the in vitro activities of luliconazole (LUL), and efinaconazole (EFN) and the nine comparators on Aspergillus and Candida strains isolated from otomycosis. Methods: The in vitro activities of nine common antifungal drugs (amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VRC), fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITC), ketoconazole (KTO), clotrimazole (CLO), nystatin (NYS), terbinafine (TRB), and caspofungin (CAS)) and two novel new azoles (LUL and EFN) against of 108 clinical isolates of Aspergillus and Candida species obtained from otomycosis were assessed according to the CLSI broth microdilution document. Results: The LUL and EFN had the geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentrations (GM MICs) of 0.098 and 0.109 μg/mL against all Aspergillus strains, respectively. Furthermore, the GM MICs of all Candida isolates for LUL, EFN, CAS, CLO, VRC, AMB, ITC, KTO, FLU, NYS, and TRB were calculated to be 0.133, 0.144, 0.194, 0.219, 0.475, 0.537, 0.655, 1.277, 4.905, 9.372, and 13.592 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, 6 (35.29%), 2 (11.7%), and 1 (5.88%) Candida isolates were resistant to FLU, CAS, and VRC, respectively. Conclusions: As the findings indicated, LUL and EFN showed the lowest GM MIC values against the examined species. Accordingly, these novel imidazole and triazole antifungal agents can be regarded as proper candidates for the treatment of otomycosis caused by Aspergillus and Candida strains.

scholarly journals Antifungal Effect of A Chimeric Peptide Hn-Mc against Pathogenic Fungal Strains

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Kim ◽  
Seong-Cheol Park ◽  
Gwangbok Noh ◽  
Heabin Kim ◽  
Su-Hyang Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Amino Acid Content ◽  
Helical Structure ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Type Specificity ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Chimeric Peptide ◽  
C Terminus

It is difficult to identify new antifungal agents because of their eukaryotic nature. However, antimicrobial peptides can well differentiate among cell types owing to their variable amino acid content. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal effect of Hn-Mc, a chimeric peptide comprised of the N-terminus of HPA3NT3 and the C-terminus of melittin. We evaluated its potent antifungal activity at low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1–16 μM against pathogenic yeast and molds. The cell-type specificity of Hn-Mc was mediated through the formation of a random α-helical structure to mimic the fungal membrane environment. Furthermore, Hn-Mc caused cell death in C. tropicalis and F. oxysporum by inducing apoptosis via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to mitochondrial damage. The present results indicate that Hn-Mc has a high affinity for the fungal plasma membrane and induces apoptosis in fungal cells, and provide guidance for the development of new antifungal agents.

The Chemistry of Drugs to Treat Candida albicans

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (28) ◽  
pp. 2554-2566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelio Ortiz ◽  
Estibaliz Sansinenea
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Antifungal Substances ◽  
High Level ◽  
Systemic Infections ◽  
New Compounds ◽  
Level Resistance

Background:: Candida species are in various parts of the human body as commensals. However, they can cause local mucosal infections and, sometimes, systemic infections in which Candida species can spread to all major organs and colonize them. Objective:: For the effective treatment of the mucosal infections and systemic life-threatening fungal diseases, a considerably large number of antifungal drugs have been developed and used for clinical purposes that comprise agents from four main drug classes: the polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and antimetabolites. Method: : The synthesis of some of these drugs is available, allowing synthetic modification of the molecules to improve the biological activity against Candida species. The synthetic methodology for each compound is reviewed. Results: : The use of these compounds has caused a high-level resistance against these drugs, and therefore, new antifungal substances have been described in the last years. The organic synthesis of the known and new compounds is reported. Conclusion: : This article summarizes the chemistry of the existing agents, both the old drugs and new drugs, in the treatment of infections due to C. albicans, including the synthesis of the existing drugs.

Potential of Nanoparticles in Combating Candida Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Abul Qais ◽  
Mohd Sajjad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Abdullah Safar Althubiani
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Candida Infections ◽  
Made In

Aims: The aim of this review is to survey the recent progress made in developing the nanoparticles as antifungal agents especially the nano-based formulations being exploited for the management of Candida infections. Discussion: In the last few decades, there has been many-fold increase in fungal infections including candidiasis due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The efficacy of available antifungal drugs is limited due to its associated toxicity and drug resistance in clinical strains. The recent advancements in nanobiotechnology have opened a new hope for the development of novel formulations with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved drug delivery and low toxicity. Conclusion: Metal nanoparticles have shown to possess promising in vitro antifungal activities and could be effectively used for enhanced and targeted delivery of conventionally used drugs. The synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and various antifungal agents have also been reported with enhanced antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Spectrum and theIn VitroAntifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Yeast Isolates in Ethiopian HIV Patients with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birhan Moges ◽  
Adane Bitew ◽  
Aster Shewaamare
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Disk Diffusion Assay ◽  
Diffusion Assay

Background.In Ethiopia, little is known regarding the distribution and thein vitroantifungal susceptibility profile of yeasts.Objective.This study was undertaken to determine the spectrum and thein vitroantifungal susceptibility pattern of yeasts isolated from HIV infected patients with OPC.Method.Oral pharyngeal swabs taken from oral lesions of study subjects were inoculated onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Yeasts were identified by employing conventional test procedures and the susceptibility of yeasts to antifungal agents was evaluated by disk diffusion assay method.Result.One hundred and fifty-five yeast isolates were recovered of which 91 isolates were from patients that were not under HAART and 64 were from patients that were under HAART.C. albicanswas the most frequently isolated species followed byC. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. kefyr, Cryptococcus laurentii, and Rhodotorulaspecies. Irrespective of yeasts isolated and identified, 5.8%, 5.8%, 12.3%, 8.4%, 0.6%, and 1.3% of the isolates were resistant to amphotericin B, clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and nystatin, respectively.Conclusion.Yeast colonization rate of 69.2% and 31% resistance to six antifungal agents was documented. These highlight the need for nationwide study on the epidemiology of OPC and resistance to antifungal drugs.

scholarly journals CaNdt80 Is Involved in Drug Resistance in Candida albicans by Regulating CDR1

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 4505-4512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Geun Chen ◽  
Yun-Liang Yang ◽  
Hsin-I Shih ◽  
Chia-Li Su ◽  
Hsiu-Jung Lo
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Galactosidase Activity ◽  
Wild Type

ABSTRACT Overexpression of CDR1, an efflux pump, is one of the major mechanisms contributing to drug resistance in Candida albicans. CDR1 p-lacZ was constructed and transformed into a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain so that the lacZ gene could be used as the reporter to monitor the activity of the CDR1 promoter. Overexpression of CaNDT80, the C. albicans homolog of S. cerevisiae NDT80, increases the β-galactosidase activity of the CDR1 p-lacZ construct in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, mutations in CaNDT80 abolish the induction of CDR1 expression by antifungal agents in C. albicans. Consistently, the Candt80/Candt80 mutant is also more susceptible to antifungal drugs than the wild-type strain. Thus, the gene for CaNdt80 may be the first gene among the regulatory factors involved in drug resistance in C. albicans whose function has been identified.

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