The effect of conocarpan on susceptibility of Candida albicans to phagocytosis and digestion by macrophages

Dhébora Mozena Dall'Igna,Ana Angélica Steil,Alexandre Bella-Cruz,Rosi Zanoni Da Silva,Valdir Cechinel Filho

doi:10.21472/bjbs.061403

Abstract

Piper solmsianum C. DC. compounds exhibit several properties, including antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether conocarpan alters Candida albicans growth or killing of the yeast by macrophages. Conocarpan showed strong activity against the yeast with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20 µg/mL and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 30 µg/mL. Mice peritoneal cells (macrophages) were cultured for 24 and 48 hours in supplemented RPMI 1640 medium. Cellular activation was assessed by determining MTT reduction and nitric oxide production. Standardized tests were conducted to select the optimal parameters for the subsequent killing test. Results showed that conocarpan exhibited antifungal activity and that C. albicans cultivated in the presence of the compound had greater susceptibility to death by macrophages. These findings suggest that conocarpan may have potential as an antimicrobial agent for C. albicans infections, promoting macrophagic immune support by altering growth of the yeast.

Highlights

Candida species are major causes of infections affecting either body surfaces or the deep tissues
The aim of this study was to analyze whether conocarpan alters growth of the yeast or killing of C. albicans by macrophages, suggesting the pathogen might be sensitized by the compound and rendered more susceptible to macrophage activity
The antifungal activity of conocarpan appears to be associated with the phenolic hydroxyl present in the phenyl-propenyl-benzofuran structure, as well as with its position at carbon 4 in this structure and the unsaturation of carbons 7 and 8 (Freixa et al, 2001)

Summary

Introduction

Candida species are major causes of infections affecting either body surfaces or the deep tissues. Candida is a complex pathogen and the immune system uses various cells, cell surface receptors and signaling pathways to trigger an efficient host defense. Horn et al (2009) conducted an epidemiological study that showed. Candidemia as an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the health care system. Candidemia incidence caused by Candida albicans was 45,6%. While incidence caused by non-Candida albicans was 54,4%; among them it was mentioned C. parapsilosis and C. krusei. A prospective study conducted in Brazil reported a high mortality and the most commom species were C. albicans (40,9%), in addition to C. tropicalis (20,9%) and C. parapsilosis (20,5%)

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