Methanolic extract of Mitracarpus frigidus inhibits filamentation and biofilm mode of growth from multidrug resistant Candida albicans

Abstract

The battery of antifungals available to treat infections caused by Candida albicans is limited and can lead to adverse effects. Treatment of these infections continues to be a challenge mainly because of the Candida resistance to multiple antifungals. The aim of this work was to investigate the antifungal activity of Mitracarpus frigidus (Willd. Ex Roem. Schult.) K. Schum methanolic extract (MFM) against virulence factors of a multidrug-resistant C. albicans strain (ATCC® 10231™). Fungal viability and morphogenesis were evaluated through microscopy techniques associated with molecular markers to detect metabolic activity and pseudohyphae formation. The potential action of MFM against biofilm proliferation and adhesion was investigated with the use of different approaches - whole slide imaging (WSI), which enables quantification of the total biofilm area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and analysis of the biochemical composition of the extracellular polymeric matrix. MFM treatment significantly decreased the yeast metabolic activity and the proportion of pseudohyphae. Remarkably, MFM also reduced the C. albicans pre-established biofilm and interfered with its adhesion, as identified by both WSI and SEM. Moreover, MFM affected the biofilm matrix biochemical composition by reducing mainly the concentrations of total carbohydrates and eDNA. Our findings demonstrate that the MFM has a therapeutic potential with good activity against the C. albicans virulence factors by acting against filamentation and biofilm mode of growth of this species.