In vitro effects of promethazine on cell morphology and structure and mitochondrial activity of azole-resistant Candida tropicalis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of promethazine on the antifungal minimum inhibitory concentrations against planktonic cells and mature biofilms of Candida tropicalis, as well as investigate its potential mechanisms of cell damage against this yeast species. Three C. tropicalis isolates (two azole-resistant and one azole-susceptible) were evaluated for their planktonic and biofilm susceptibility to promethazine alone and in combination with itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin. The antifungal activity of promethazine against C. tropicalis was investigated by performing time-kill curve assays and assessing rhodamine 6G efflux, cell size/granularity, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential, through flow cytometry. Promethazine showed antifungal activity against planktonic cells and biofilms at concentrations of 64 and 128 μg/ml, respectively. The addition of two subinhibitory concentrations of promethazine reduced the antifungal MICs for all tested azole drugs against planktonic growth, reversing the resistance phenotype to all azoles. Promethazine decreased the efflux of rhodamine 6G in an azole-resistant strain. Moreover, promethazine decreased cell size/granularity and caused membrane damage, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. In conclusion, promethazine presented synergy with azole antifungals against resistant C. tropicalis and exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity against C. tropicalis, altering cell size/granularity, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function, demonstrating potential mechanisms of cell damage against this yeast species.