Investigation of the interaction of keratinocytes and Candida species

Our skin provides immunological protection against several pathogens. Skin epithelial cells respond to microbial stimuli in various ways, such as through the production of antimicrobial peptides or secretion of cytokines, although phagocytosis of potentially evading microbes was also reported. Relatively little is known about how skin keratinocytes differentiate between the presence of pathogenic and commensal fungi. In this project, we aimed to investigate how human keratinocytes interact with different Candida species, as common colonizers of the skin. While C. albicans is a common cause of cutaneous candidiasis, C. parapsilosisis rarely associated with this disease.For the experimentshuman skin keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT, HPV-KER)were applied andchallengedwith C. albicans (SC5314 and WO1 strains) and C. parapsilosis (GA1 and CLIB214 strains)strains.We aimedto determine the extent to which C. albicans and C. parapsilosis damage human keratinocytes, their attachment to host cells, the keratinocytes’ ability to internalize these fungi and to examinecytokine production in response to stimuli. Our results suggest that C. albicans causes significantly more damage to human keratinocytes than C. parapsilosis and the HPV-KER cell line was more susceptibleto the infection. In both HaCaT and HPV-KER cells, the production of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL5 increased primarilyafter C. albicans infection. Based on the adhesion studies, there was a low degree of association in case of C. parapsilosis GA1 and CLIB214 compared to C. albicans SC5314 and WO1.

Lawsone Co-Crystals Loaded Antifungal Gel for Cutaneous Candidiasis

Aim: An attempt was made to improve the solubility and to achieve better penetration of antifungal agent lawsone a poorly water-soluble naphthoquinone, derivative via co-crystallization to treat cutaneous candidiasis. Methodology: The co-crystals of lawsone were prepared using benzoic acid as co former by solvent crystallization method. The formulated co-crystals were assessed for different parameters namely, saturation solubility, thermal properties, crystalline nature, particle size and its antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Results: Lawsone co-crystals exhibited enhanced solubility of lawsone (9.57±2.5 mg/ml and 0.523±0.23 mg/ml respectively) and the particle size of the co-crystals were reduced to 560±2.2 nm as compared to pure lawsone (2478±1.5 nm) which further resulted in enhancement of antifungal activity. Lawsone co-crystals were loaded in the xanthan-gel base for easy applicability to the skin and to achieve patient compliance. The prepared gel was evaluated in terms of spreadability, adhesiveness, in vitro diffusion, viscosity, and antifungal activity. Conclusion: Lawsone co-crystals loaded gel showed enhanced retension of drug in the skin as compared to plain lawsone gel. The antifungal potential of lawsone co-crystals loaded gel was at par with marketed Clotrimazole gel formulation. The short-term stability study carried out as per ICH guideline indicated that the formulation was stable. Lawsone co-crystals loaded gel.

Development of a Topical Amphotericin B and Bursera graveolens Essential Oil-Loaded Gel for the Treatment of Dermal Candidiasis

The higher molecular weight and low solubility of amphotericin B (AmB) hinders its topical administration. The aim of this study was to incorporate Bursera graveolens essential oil into an AmB topical gel (AmB + BGEO gel) in order to promote the diffusion of the drug through the skin in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis. AmB + BGEO gel formulation was determined using a factorial experiment. Physical and chemical parameters, stability, in vitro release profile and ex vivo permeation in human skin were evaluated. In vitro antimicrobial activity was studied using strains of C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. The tolerability was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models. AmB + BGEO gel presented appropriate characteristics for topical administration, including pH of 5.85, pseudoplastic behavior, optimal extensibility, as well as high stability and acceptable tolerability. In vitro release studies showed that the formulation releases the drug following a Boltzmann sigmoidal model. Finally, AmB + BGEO gel exhibited higher amount of drug retained inside the skin and lower Minimum Inhibitory Concentration than a formulation sans essential oil. Therefore, these results suggest that the incorporation of B. graveolens essential oil in the formulation could be used as strategy to promote a local effect in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.

Perbandingan Metode Certainty Factor dan Theorema Bayes dalam Mendiagnosa Penyakit Kandidiasis pada Manusia Menggunakan Metode Perbandingan Eksponensial

Candidiasis is an infectious disease caused by the fungus candida. Research on this fungus has been widely carried out until several types of candida fungi are found that can attack and cause infections in humans. Types of candidiasis also vary, but can be classified in general into three types, namely attacking the mouth (Candidiasis Thrush), vagina (Vulvoginal Candidiasis), and skin (Cutaneous Candidiasis). Candidiasis is very susceptible to infection and infection, therefore a study is needed to diagnose candidiasis. Today, expert systems are often used to diagnose diseases. There are several methods commonly used in expertise, including the Certainty Factor method and the Bayes Theorem. However, the problem faced in implementing an expert system in any field is uncertainty. This is caused by the user's hesitation in answering questions during the consultation session or even the inaccuracy of the methods used in building the system. Therefore, it is necessary to study and compare the methods that can be used to build the system. Exponential is a simple comparison that can reduce bias in the analysis process. This study aims to apply and analyze both methods and the results compare with an exponential comparison in detecting candidiasis in humans. The results of this study showed that both methods achieved the same results, namely the lowest percentage level was Candidiasis Truth, then Vuvoginal Candidiasis, and the highest was Candidiasis Cutaneous. Of these two methods, Certanty Factor is more accurate in diagnosing candidiasis.

A Combination approach using Areca nut and Ketoconazole for Treating Cutaneous Candidiasis

Fungal infections caused by Candida are often associated with increasing rates of morbidity and mortality. It is a serious concern for patients with immunocompromised system. The resistance to Ketoconazole, a known antifungal agent is increasing at an alarming rate and a number of such cases have been reported in the recent years. In order to circumvent this problem, a study was carried out using ketoconazole-areca nut (Areca catechu L.) combination. When this combination was tested against Candida albicans, there was an increase in the antifungal activity of ketoconazole. The study can be explored further for the design of suitable topical formulations containing the above combination in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.

Evaluation of the gold nanoparticles prepared by ‎green ‎chemistry in ‎the ‎‏treatment of cutaneous candidiasis

Background and Objectives: Mineral nanoparticle synthesis via green chemistry is ‎considered a novel ‏procedure ‎that ‎has been introduced into some ‏‎‎industries and medical fields. This ‎paper aimed to focus on ‏synthesized gold ‎nanoparticles ‎‎‎‎(‎AuNPs‎) prepared via green chemistry and ‎their usage in the ‏treatment of cutaneous ‎candidiasis.‎‎ Materials and Methods: This study was performed on the green synthesis of AuNPs using olive leaf extract as a reducing ‎agent‎. The ‎UV‎ visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy techniques ‎were used to detect ‏the concentration of the prepared AuNPs‎. ‎The agar gel diffusion method was used to test ‏the ‎antifungal activity of the ‎‎prepared AuNPs in vitro. ‏Antifungal efficacy of the AuNPs in vivo ‎was tested by the ‎induction of‎‎ cutaneous ‎candidiasis in mice‎. ‎This research was conducted on four groups of mice‎. Groups 1 and 2 were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the AuNPs suspension ‎and ‏Nystatin ointment in the treatment ‎of clinical infection, respectively. Groups 3 ‎and ‎4 were the infected ‎and the non-infected control groups, respectively.‎ Results: Based on the findings, the AuNP synthesis using olive leaves was ‎a suitable and ‎secure method. Moreover, it was found that the AuNP concentration of 40.77 ng‏\‏ml represented the minimum ‎inhibitory concentration for the ‎inhibition of the Candida albicans. The prepared AuNPs were more effective than Nystatin ‎in the ‏treatment ‎of cutaneous candidiasis.‎‎ Conclusion: Preparation of AuNPs via green chemistry using olive leaves as a reducing ‎agent is a ‏safe ‎and easy procedure that can be performed to produce AuNPs. In this study, the AuNPs ‎displayed antifungal ‏activity ‏both in vitro and in vivo.

In Vivo Anti-Candida Activity of Artemisia herba alba asso and Citrus aurantium Extracts Formulated in Different Ointments

Background: Today, people around the world have resorted to herbal medicine, due to the increase in antibiotic resistance and the side effects of synthetic drugs. Methods: Our research focused on the in vivo antifungal activity of three ointments formulated on the basis of methanolic extract of Citrus aurantium peel, ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Artemisia herba alba asso, and essential oil of Artemisia herba alba asso. Wistar rats were made immunosuppressed by Dexamethazone and Tetracycline. Three strains of Candida albicans, S1, S2 and S3 were inoculated. The fungal load of the area tested, the weight of the rats, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the skins were determined. Results: Cutaneous candidiasis was manifested as red, thick, scabbed lesions, mostly located on the infected area of the animals. Microscopic observation of histological skin sections of animals infected and treated with the ointments, P1, P2 and P3 showed a well-preserved architecture of the skin. Erythema, edema, ulceration, erosion were seen in the skin of animals receiving placebo or Nystatin. The P3 ointment exerted a very powerful antifungal effect against especially the strain S1 compared to the other ointments (log 3.07±0.006 CFU/ml). The weight was regained significantly in the groups of animals receiving the ointments and a regression of growth was observed in the untreated animals and those treated by Nystatin and placebo. Conclusion: The EAH and MCP ointment and the essential oil of Artemisia developed, allowed to retain their significant antifungal activity against Candida.