Bioactive Coatings with Ag-Camphorimine Complexes to Prevent Surface Colonization by the Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans

Currently there is a gap between the rate of new antifungal development and the emergence of resistance among Candida clinical strains, particularly threatened by the extreme adhesiveness of C. albicans to indwelling medical devices. Two silver camphorimine complexes, [Ag(OH){OC10H14N(C6H4)2NC10H14O}] (compound P) and [{Ag(OC10H14NC6H4CH3-p)}2(μ-O)] (compound Q), are herein demonstrated as having high inhibiting activity towards the growth of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata clinical strains resistant to azoles, the frontline antifungals used in clinical practice. Compounds P and Q were also explored as bioactive coatings to prevent colonization by C. albicans and colonize the surface of indwelling medical devices, resulting in persistent infections. Functionalization of stainless steel with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix embedded with compounds P or Q was reported for the first time to inhibit the colonization of C. albicans by 82% and 75%, respectively. The coating of PCL loaded with Q or P did not cause cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells, demonstrating the biocompatibility of the explored approach. The identification and further exploration of new approaches for surface engineering based on new molecules that can sensitize resistant strains, as herein demonstrated for complexes P and Q, is a significant step forward to improve the successful treatment of candidiasis.

Compound Q is finally deciphered

The elusive compound Q in methane monooxygenase has been characterised and firmly established as a diamond-core bis-μ-oxo FeIV FeIV cluster.

Book Reviews: Two Recent Books on Traditional Chinese Medicine and AIDS

The development of a purified and crystallized protein called trichosanthin, used in China for inducing abortion, and imported into the USA for curing AIDS infection under the name "compound Q," is carefully reviewed. Another book on the use of the principles and practices of traditional Chinese medicine for the health care of AIDS patients is critically reviewed with a few suggestions for future improvement in respect to Chinese herbal products. The reviewer has worked on the medicinal plants of China since 1935, with extensive field experience of botanization throughout China, from the coastal provinces to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and from Heilungjian to Yunnan; and with the herbaria and library facilities of Harvard University since 1945.