Fungal Candida Albicans Research Articles

Antimicrobial Activity of Warburgia ugandensis on Selected Standard Organisms that Cause Urinary Tract Infections

Background: The antimicrobial effect of Warburgia ugandensis has been recognized for many years in developing countries especially in East Africa. However, limited investigations have focused on its effect on microorganisms causing urinary tract infection.
 Objective: To determine the antimicrobial activity of Warburgia ugandensis on selected standard microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections i.e. Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 25933), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923).
 Methods: Warburgia ugandensis stem bark was obtained from Tooro Botanical centre and were shade dried. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared and evaluated for phytochemical components using semi qualitative phytochemical screening techniques. The antimicrobial activity on three bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and one fungus Candida albicans was tested by agar well diffusion and broth dilution which to obtain the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the plant extracts respectively.
 Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and terpenoids in both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The bacteria were susceptible to the aqueous extract which caused significant inhibition of microbial growth with the highest activity observed on Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.49mg/ml), while less susceptibility to the ethanolic extract was observed with Staphylococcus aureus having an MIC of 1.95mg/ml and so was MBC/MFC, in which Staphylococcus aureus had an MBC of 7.81mg/ml. Candida albicans showed the same pattern with more susceptibility to the aqueous extract (MFC 15.63mg/ml) as compared to the ethanolic extract (MFC 62.5mg/ml)
 Conclusion: The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Warburgia ugandensis exhibit antimicrobial effect against the selected urinary tract infection causing organisms. The aqueous extract showed antimicrobial activity in both agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. This study further shows the potential of Warburgia ugandensis being a novel source of modern drugs with further studies and these results provide some new perspectives on the traditional uses of Warburgia ugandensis in treating urinary tract infections.

Enzymatic, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Bioactive Compounds from Avocado (Persea americana L.) Seeds

The aim of this research was to identify and quantify biologically active compounds from avocado (Persea americana L.) seeds (AS) utilizing different techniques with the use of ultrasound (US), ethanol (EtOH), and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) for possible applications in (bio)medicine, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or other relevant industries. Initially, a study of the process efficiency (η) was carried out, which revealed yields in the range of 2.96-12.11 wt%. The sample obtained using scCO2 was found to be the richest in total phenols (TPC) and total proteins (PC), while the sample obtained with the use of EtOH resulted in the highest content of proanthocyanidins (PAC). Phytochemical screening of AS samples, quantified by the HPLC method, indicated the presence of 14 specific phenolic compounds. In addition, the activity of the selected enzymes (cellulase, lipase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, protease, transglutaminase, and superoxide dismutase) was quantified for the first time in the samples from AS. Using DPPH radical scavenging activity, the highest antioxidant potential (67.49%) was detected in the sample obtained with EtOH. The antimicrobial activity was studied using disc diffusion method against 15 microorganisms. Additionally, for the first time, the antimicrobial effectiveness of AS extract was quantified by determination of microbial growth-inhibition rates (MGIRs) at different concentrations of AS extract against three strains of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) bacteria, three strains of Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) bacteria, and fungi (Candida albicans). MGIRs and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90) values were determined after 8 and 24 h of incubation, thus enabling the screening of antimicrobial efficacy for possible further applications of AS extracts as antimicrobial agents in (bio)medicine, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or other industries. For example, the lowest MIC90 value was determined for B. cereus after 8 h of incubation in the case of UE and SFE extracts (70 μg/mL), indicating an outstanding result and the potential of AS extracts, as the MIC values for B. cereus have not been investigated so far.

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT DERIVED FROM LEAVES OF FICUS CYATHISTIPULA WARB. (MORACEAE)

Purpose: We continue our investigations regarding assessing the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of extracts derived from the leaves of various plants belonging to the Ficus genus. In the current study, we aimed to assess the antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract prepared from leaves of Ficus cyathistipula Warb. against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to evaluate the possible use of this plant in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections caused by these bacteria. Methodology. The leaves of F. cyathistipula were sampled at M.M. Gryshko National Botanic Garden (NBG, Kyiv, Ukraine) and the Botanic Garden of Ivan Franko National University in Lviv (Lviv, Ukraine). Freshly collected leaves were washed, weighed, and homogenized in 96% ethanol (in the proportion of 1:9, w/w) at room temperature. The extract was then filtered and investigated for its antimicrobial activity. The testing of the antibacterial activity of the plant extract was carried out in vitro by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC®27853™), Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC®35218™), and Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC®25922™), as well as Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus strain (ATCC®25923™), Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus strain (ATCC®29213™) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NEQAS 3679™), as well as the fungus Candida albicans locally isolated, were used as test organisms. Zone diameters were determined and averaged. The following zone diameter criteria were used to assign susceptibility or resistance of bacteria to the phytochemicals tested: Susceptible ≥ 15 mm, Intermediate = 10–15 mm, and Resistant ≤ 10 mm. Scientific novelty. The ethanolic extract derived from the leaves of F. cyathistipula exhibited varying inhibitory activities against all the test strains. More sensitive for this extract was C. albicans strain. S. aureus subsp. aureus strain (ATCC® 25923™), S. aureus subsp. aureus strain (ATCC® 29213™), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (NEQAS 3679™), P. aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC® 27853™), E. coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC® 25922™), and E. coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC® 35218™) strains were more resistant to F. cyathistipula extract. The results are encouraging enough to pursue bioactivity-guided fractionation of this extract and structure elucidation of the active phytoconstituents from the F. cyathistipula extract as a possible anti-bacterial agent. Conclusions. S. aureus and C. albicans appeared to be more sensitive to the F. cyathistipula extract. The antibacterial activity may be associated with the presence of secondary metabolites. The results of this study provide baseline information on F. cyathistipula potential validity in the treatment of fungus-induced and bacterial infections, caused by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.

A Comparative Study: In-vitro Anti-microbial Activity of Various Parts of Lantana Camara using Ethanolic Extract

Detecting new sources of antibiotics based on natural products used by traditional practitioners was the main objective to analyse the extracts of root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), a medicinal plant available in India. A group of organisms along with 2 bacteria and 2 fungi were served by L.camara extracts of different parts based on technique. The whole plant extract presented the most active. The L.camara extract were active against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.25 ± 15.5µg/ml) and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger (5.25±13.5 and 0 ± 13.25µg/ml). This study may support the conventional use of whole plant extract of L.camara in various disorders, a potential subject to further isolation and identification as a supply of antibacterial substances.

Essential Oil and nanocarrier-based Formulations Approaches for Vaginal Candidiasis

An exclusive site for local drug delivery is the vagina, especially for vaginal infections. The fungus Candida albicans causes vaginal infection known as vulvovaginal candidiasis, a highly prevalent and recurrent gynaecological disease among women. Vaginal candidiasis affects over 75% of women at a certain point in their life and has a recurrence rate of 40-50%. Medicinal plants provide some very effective phytoconstituents which when delivered as nanosystems have enhanced therapeutic action and efficacy by alteration in their characteristics. Antifungal drugs are used to treat these conditions, alternative medicine is required for prophylaxis and improved prognosis. The current review focuses on the research carried out on various nanocarrier based approaches and essential oil-based formulations for vaginal candidiasis.

2D-QSAR STUDY ON SOME NOVEL DIHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBONITRILE ANALOGS AS AN ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Objective: The present study was designed to study the antifungal activity of Dihydropyrimidine-4-Carbonitrile analogs against the fungi Candida albicans by a 2D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model. Methods: The pyrimidine derivatives were produced using lipophilic, electronic, and steric parameters by Quantitative Structure Activity-Relationships (QSAR). A relationship between dependent and independent variables (biological activities and physicochemical descriptors, respectively) was resolved statistically using regression analysis. The F value shows the level of statistical significance of the regression (r2) was used to report the fitness of data. The newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicansby Nutrient agar and Seaboard dextrose agar media. Results: Multiple linear regression is a method of crucial importance, it allowed us to obtain a relation between the calculated parameters and the antifungal activity; this we can interpret the variance of the activity by contribution to the calculated descriptors. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model showing a significant activity-descriptors relationship accuracy of 90% (R2 ≥ 0.90) and activity prediction accuracy of 81% (R²cv = 0.81). These values prove that the model obtained is reliable. Out of the three descriptors studied; log P has minimum potency, molar refractivity has more potency and heat of formation has moderate potency. Conclusion: Important structural understanding in the pattern of potent antifungal agents by Quantitative Structure Activity-Relationships (QSAR) study. The acquired physicochemical properties (electronic, topological, and steric) show the important structural features required for antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic drug metronidazole loaded ZIF-90 nanoparticles as a pH responsive drug delivery system for improved pediatric sepsis management.

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease caused by the dis-functioning of the immune response to pathogenic infections. Despite, the discovery of modern therapeutics and treatments of sepsis are lacking due to the resistance of pathogens. Metronidazole is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections, but usage is limited and challenging by a short half-life period. In this research work, fabricate a pH-responsive drug delivery system for controlled release of metronidazole targeted molecules. We exemplified that, the encapsulation of hydrophilic metronidazole drug within a hydrophobic ZIF-90 framework can be enhanced the pH-responsive drug release under acidic conditions. The ZIF-90 frameworks only decompose in under acidic solutions, they are highly stable in physiological conditions. The pH-responsive protonation mechanism of ZIF-90 frameworks promotes the quick release of metronidazole within cells. The antimicrobial proficiency of zinc and metronidazole will expose a synergistic effect in ROS-mediated bacterial inhibition and auto-immunity boosting of normal cells. In vitro, antibacterial activity results revealed that the MI@ZIF-90 nano drug delivery system effectively eradicated human infectious pathogens at the lowest concentrations. In anti-fungal activity, studies show excellent growth inhibition against human pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. Finally, the PBMC cytocompatibility study concludes, that the fabricated MI@ZIF-90 drug delivery system is non-toxic to biomedical applications. The overall research findings highlight the design of a smart drug delivery system for sepsis treatment. In future it will be an efficient, low-cost, and biocompatible pharmaceutics for pediatric sepsis management processes.

Enniatins from a marine-derived fungus Fusarium sp. inhibit biofilm formation by the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans.

Candidemia is a life-threatening disease common in immunocompromised patients, and is generally caused by the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. C. albicanscan change morphology from yeast to hyphae, forming biofilms on medical devices. Biofilm formation contributes to the virulence and drug tolerance of C. albicans, and thus compounds that suppress this morphological change and biofilm formation are effective for treating and preventing candidemia. Marine organisms produce biologically active and structurally diverse secondary metabolites that are promising lead compounds for treating numerous diseases. In this study, we explored marine-derived fungus metabolites that can inhibit morphological change and biofilm formation by C. albicans. Enniatin B (1), B1 (2), A1 (3), D (4), and E (5), visoltricin (6), ergosterol peroxide (7), 9,11-dehydroergosterol peroxide (8), and 3β,5α,9α-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (9) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Fusarium sp. Compounds 1-5 and 8 exhibited inhibitory activity against hyphal formation by C. albicans, and compounds 1-3 and 8 inhibited biofilm formation by C. albicans. Furthermore, compounds 1-3 decreased cell surface hydrophobicity and expression of the hypha-specific gene HWP1 in C. albicans. Compound 1 was obtained in the highest yield. An in vivo evaluation system using silkworms pierced with polyurethane fibers (a medical device substrate) showed that compound 1 inhibited biofilm formation by C. albicans in vivo. These results indicate that enniatins could be lead compounds for therapeutic agents for biofilm infections by C.albicans.

Antimicrobial activity of Dibenzalacetone (C17H14O)

Dibenzalacetone was synthesized via the base catalysed condensation reaction between acetone and benzaldehyde. This study was done to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compound dibenzalacetone (C17H14O) against four human pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginiosa and the fungus Candida albicans. The highest area of zone of inhibition of 68.23 mm2 was induced against Candida albicans and the lowest AZOI of 37.55 mm2 was induced against E.coli. Staphylococcus aureus was totally resistant to the drug, in that zero zone of inhibition was induced against dibenzalacetone. The order of antimicrobial potency followed the sequence: Candida albicans > Klebsiella pneumoniae > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Staphylococcus aureus. However, its antimicrobial potency was lowered than that of standard synthetic drug, Ampicillin and Ketoconazole.

Production of herbal toothpaste: Physical, organoleptic, phyto-compound, and antimicrobial properties

ObjectiveTo investigate the possibility of producing dental antimicrobial toothpaste from Allium cepa L skin chaff, Azadirachta indica A. seed, and Tetrapleura tetraptera pod extracts. MethodsEthanolic extracts of the three plant materials were obtained. These were subjected to phytochemical and GC-MS analyses. The different extract combinations were used for the production of various toothpaste. The toothpaste's physical, organoleptic, and antimicrobial properties were determined. ResultsFrom the phytochemical analysis, Allium cepa has the highest phenolic (1.20 mgGAE/g), saponin (14.80%), tannin (0.11 mg/g) and DPPH (82.80%), Tetrapleura tetraptera has the highest flavonoid (0.33 mg RE/g), and alkaloid (20.50 mg/g) while, Azadirachta indica has the highest oxalate (77.50 mg/g). The GC-MS revealed significant chemical components of Allium cepa as 1-heptatriacotanol, germacra-1(10),4,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid, 6-alpha-hydroxy-,gamma-lactone, (E,E)-, 11H-Indeno [1,2b] quinoxaline, 2-methyl- while Azadirachta indica have butyl benzoate, benzoic acid, hexyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and Tetrapleura tetraptera have the following 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, cis-9-hexadecenal, and 11,13-dimethyl-12-tetradecen-1-ol acetate. All the produced toothpaste has a brown colour and a pleasant smell, with pH from 7.30 to 8.10 and foamability from 19.23% of stand-alone toothpaste to 44.44% of Allium cepa-based. Amongst the produced toothpaste Allium cepa-based toothpaste has the best antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca) and fungi (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis). The stand-alone toothpaste has the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/mL against bacteria and fungi. Clinical significanceThe study provides information on the production of human health-friendly dental antimicrobial toothpaste from plant materials.

Two New 4-Hydroxy-2-pyridone Alkaloids with Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities from Arthrinium sp. GZWMJZ-606 Endophytic with Houttuynia cordata Thunb

Two new 4-hydroxy-2-pyridone alkaloids furanpydone A and B (1 and 2), along with two known compounds N-hydroxyapiosporamide (3) and apiosporamide (4) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Arthrinium sp. GZWMJZ-606 in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Furanpydone A and B had unusual 5-(7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane)-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone skeleton. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, as well as the X-ray diffraction experiment. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity against ten cancer cell lines (MKN-45, HCT116, K562, A549, DU145, SF126, A-375, 786O, 5637, and PATU8988T) with IC50 values from 4.35 to 9.72 µM. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed moderate inhibitory effects against four Gram-positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Bacillus Subtilis, Clostridium perfringens) and one Gram-negative strain (Ralstonia solanacarum) with MIC values from 1.56 to 25 µM. However, compounds 1-4 showed no obvious inhibitory activity against two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans and Candida glabrata) at 50 µM. These results show that compounds 1-4 are expected to be developed as lead compounds for antibacterial or anti-tumor drugs.

Potential Activity of Arthrospira platensis as Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Antifungal against Some Skin Diseases: Topical Cream Application.

This research evaluated the antifungal effectiveness of Arthrospira platensis ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts against the tested pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Malassezia furfur). Antioxidant and cytotoxicity effectiveness of A. platensis extracts against four distinct cell lines were also assessed. Methanol extract of A. platensis exhibited the highest inhibition zones against Candida albicans as measured by the well diffusion method. A transmission electron micrograph of the treated group of Candida cells with A. platensis methanolic extract showed mild lysis and vacuolation of the cytoplasmic organelles. In vivo, after induced infection of mice by C. albicans and treatment with A. platensis methanolic extract cream, the skin layer emerged with the removal of Candida spherical plastopores. The extract of A. platensis recorded the highest antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging method (IC50 28 mg/mL). A cytotoxicity test using a MTT assay showed that the A. platensis extract had strong cytotoxic activity against the HepG2 cell line (IC50 20.56 ± 1.7 μg/mL) and moderate cytotoxic activity against MCF7 and the Hela cell (IC50 27.99 ± 2.1 μg/mL). Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) results revealed that the effective activity of A. platensis extract could be linked to a synergistic impact between their prominent composition as alkaloids, phytol, fatty acids hydrocarbons, phenolics and phthalates. A. platensis extract contains active metabolites that constitute a promising source of antifungal, antioxidant and anti-proliferative compounds for the pharmaceutical drug industry.

A Multifunctional Trypsin Protease Inhibitor from Yellow Bell Pepper Seeds: Uncovering Its Dual Antifungal and Hypoglycemic Properties.

Fungal infections are a growing public health concern worldwide and the emergence of antifungal resistance has limited the number of therapeutic options. Therefore, developing novel strategies for identifying and developing new antifungal compounds is an active area of research in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, we purified and characterized a trypsin protease inhibitor obtained from Yellow Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. The inhibitor not only showed potent and specific activity against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, but was also found to be non-toxic against human cells. Furthermore, this inhibitor is unique in that it also inhibits α-1,4-glucosidase, positioning it as one of the first plant-derived protease inhibitors with dual biological activity. This exciting discovery opens new avenues for the development of this inhibitor as a promising antifungal agent and highlights the potential of plant-derived protease inhibitors as a rich source for the discovery of novel multifunctional bioactive molecules.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE FUNGI Candida albicans IN URINE ELDERLY WOMEN WITH INCONTINENCE IN GRIAJANATI ORIGINAL ORIGINAL, GORONTALO CITY

The fungus Candida albicans can cause a condition called candidiasis, which is a disease of the mucous membranes, mouth, vagina and digestive tract. The purpose of this study was to identify the fungus Candida albicans in elderly women with incontinence at the Griajanti Nursing Home, Gorontalo City.This research method uses the approach used in this study is a qualitative approach. Qualitative research is a descriptive study that tends to use analysis, namely to describe the presence of Candida albicans in the urine of elderly women with incontinence in the Griajanati Nursing Home, Gorontalo City and the type of research used in this study is descriptive. Descriptive research aims to describe and describe a symptom, event and occurrence that occurs.The results showed that some of the Candida albicans fungus was found in the urine of elderly women with incontinence who were successfully isolated in pure form. With the characteristics of colonies on solid medium slightly rising from the surface of the medium with a smooth, slippery or folded surface, yellowish white in color and smelling of yeast.

Inhibition of Polymicrobial Biofilms of Candida albicans-Staphylococcus aureus/Streptococcus mutans by Fucoidan-Gold Nanoparticles.

The polymicrobial proliferation and development of complex biofilm morphologies by bacterial and fungal pathogens in the host are some of the key factors contributing to the failure of antimicrobial treatments. The polymicrobial interaction of Candida albicans and some bacterial species has been extensively studied in both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Alternative strategies for disrupting polymicrobial interaction and biofilm formation are constantly needed. Among several alternative strategies, the use of nanoparticles synthesized using a natural product in the treatment of microbial infection has been considered a promising approach. The current study aimed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using a natural product, fucoidan, and to test their efficacy against mono and duo combinations of fungal (Candida albicans) and bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus/Streptococcus mutans) biofilms. Several methods were used to characterize and study Fu-AuNPs, including UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, FE-TEM, EDS, DLS, zeta potential, and XRD. The concentration-dependent inhibition of early-stage biofilms and the eradication of mature biofilms of single species of C. albicans, S. aureus, and S. mutans have been observed. Early biofilms of a dual-species combination of C. albicans and S. aureus/S. mutans were also suppressed at an increasing concentration of Fu-AuNPs. Furthermore, Fu-AuNPs significantly eradicated the established mature biofilm of mixed species. The treatment method proposed in this study, which involves the use of marine-bioinspired nanoparticles, is a promising and biocompatible agent for preventing the growth of polymicrobial biofilms of bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Improved Anti-Biofilm Effect against the Oral Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans by Combined Triclosan/CBD Treatment

Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive bacterium highly associated with dental caries, and it has a strong biofilm-forming ability, especially in a sugar-rich environment. Many strategies have been undertaken to prevent dental caries by targeting these bacteria. Recently, we observed that a sustained-release varnish containing triclosan and cannabidiol (CBD) was more efficient than each compound alone in preventing biofilm formation by the fungus Candida albicans, which is frequently involved in oral infections together with S. mutans. It was therefore inquiring to study the effect of this drug combination on S. mutans. We observed that the combined treatment of triclosan and CBD had stronger anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity than each compound alone, thus enabling the use of lower concentrations of each drug to achieve the desired effect. The combined drug treatment led to an increase in the SYTO 9low, propidium iodide (PI)high bacterial population as analyzed by flow cytometry, indicative for bacteria with disrupted membrane. Both triclosan and CBD induced membrane hyperpolarization, although there was no additive effect on this parameter. HR-SEM images of CBD-treated bacteria show the appearance of elongated and swollen bacteria with several irregular septa structures, and upon combined treatment with triclosan, the bacteria took on a swollen ellipse and sometimes oval morphology. Increased biofilm formation was observed at sub-MIC concentrations of each compound alone, while combining the drugs at these sub-MIC concentrations, the biofilm formation was prevented. The inhibition of biofilm formation was confirmed by CV biomass staining, MTT metabolic activity, HR-SEM and live/dead together with exopolysaccharide (EPS) staining visualized by spinning disk confocal microscopy. Importantly, the concentrations required for the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities toward S. mutans were non-toxic to the normal Vero epithelial cells. In conclusion, the data obtained in this study propose a beneficial role of combined triclosan/CBD treatment for potential protection against dental caries.

The In Vitro Impact of Isoxazole Derivatives on Pathogenic Biofilm and Cytotoxicity of Fibroblast Cell Line.

The microbial, biofilm-based infections of chronic wounds are one of the major challenges of contemporary medicine. The use of topically administered antiseptic agents is essential to treat wound-infecting microorganisms. Due to observed microbial tolerance/resistance against specific clinically-used antiseptics, the search for new, efficient agents is of pivotal meaning. Therefore, in this work, 15 isoxazole derivatives were scrutinized against leading biofilm wound pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and against Candida albicans fungus. For this purpose, the minimal inhibitory concentration, biofilm reduction in microtitrate plates, modified disk diffusion methods and antibiofilm dressing activity measurement methods were applied. Moreover, the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of derivatives was tested toward wound bed-forming cells, referred to as fibroblasts, using normative methods. Obtained results revealed that all isoxazole derivatives displayed antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxic effect, but antimicrobial activity of two derivatives, 2-(cyclohexylamino)-1-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 5-amino-3-methyl-1,2-oxazole-4-carboxylate (PUB9) and 2-(benzylamino)-1-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 5-amino-3-methyl-1,2-oxazole-4-carboxylate (PUB10), was noticeably higher compared to the other compounds analyzed, especially PUB9 with regard to Staphylococcus aureus, with a minimal inhibitory concentration more than x1000 lower compared to the remaining derivatives. The PUB9 and PUB10 derivatives were able to reduce more than 90% of biofilm-forming cells, regardless of the species, displaying at the same time none (PUB9) or moderate (PUB10) cytotoxicity against fibroblasts and high (PUB9) or moderate (PUB10) cytocompatibility against these wound cells. Therefore, taking into consideration the clinical demand for new antiseptic agents for non-healing wound treatment, PUB9 seems to be a promising candidate to be further tested in advanced animal models and later, if satisfactory results are obtained, in the clinical setting.

Quantification of biophysical properties of candidalysin, a fungal peptide toxin secreted by C. albicans during invasion.

Candida albicans fungus can cause invasive candidiasis. To become pathogenic and translocate across the intestinal epithelium C.abicans fungus needs to change its morphology from yeast to invasive filamentous. Virulence factor candidalysin secreted during fungal invasion, is found to be crucial in direct cell membrane damage, the stimulation of a danger response signalling pathway, and the activation of epithelial immunity. Due to its amphiphilic alpha-helical structure peptide has a high binding affinity to plasma membranes. With increasing accumulation on the membrane surfaces, the alpha-helix peptide starts penetration of the lipid bilayer until the plasma membrane is damaged. However, whether there is specific affinity to different membrane compositions is still unknown. Here we determined the concentrations of candidalysin required for membrane permeabilization of large unilamellar vesicles with various lipid compositions. Then, we used spectral imaging to assess the lipid packing changes in giant unilamellar vesicles of different lipid composition resembling human epithelial, bacterial and fungal membranes under the treatment of candidalysin. Solvatochromic polarity-sensitive dyes were used to label model membranes. Spectral imaging data allowed to calculate generalized polarization map of the labelled membrane and further investigate lipid packing during peptide binding.

Recognition of galactose by a scaffold protein recruits a transcriptional activator for the GAL regulon induction in Candida albicans.

The GAL pathway of yeasts has long served as a model system for understanding of how regulatory mode of eukaryotic metabolic pathways evolves. While Gal4 mode has been well-characterized in Saccharomycetaceae clade, little is known about the regulation of the GAL pathway in other yeasts. Here, we find that Rep1, a Ndt80-like family transcription factor, serves as a galactose sensor in the commensal-pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. It is presented at the GAL gene promoters independent of the presence of galactose. Rep1 recognizes galactose via a direct physical interaction. The net result of this interaction is the recruitment of a transcriptional activator Cga1 (Candida galactose gene activator, orf19.4959) and transcription of the GAL genes proceeds. Rep1 and Cga1 are conserved across the CTG species. Rep1 itself does not possess transcriptional activity. Instead, it provides a scaffold to recruit different factors for transcriptional regulation. Rep1-Cga1 mode of regulation represents a new example of network rewiring in fungi, which provides insight into how C. albicans evolves transcriptional programs to colonize diverse host niches.

UJI AKTIVITAS SABUN PEMBERSIH KEWANITAAN EKSTRAK DAUN SENDOK (Plantago Major L.) TERHADAP Candida Albicans

Abstract. Daun sendok (Plantago Major L) is a plant that is considered a weed by the community which is known to contain flavonoid compounds, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and phenols as antifungals. This study aims to determine the activity of the feminine cleansing soap activity test of daun sendok extract (Plantago Major L.) against the fungus Candida albicans. The method used is the disk diffusion method (paper disk) using 3 petri dishes in which each cup contains 4 paper disks which are given negative control, 1% b/v concentration of daun sendok extract soap, 2% b/v daun sendok extract soap and positive control. The results of the research conducted on testing the activity of female cleansing soap using daun sendok extract (Plantago Major L.) as an antifungal, that is the results obtained from daun sendok extract soap using a concentration of 1% b/v and 2% b/v, which cannot inhibit the growth of Candida albicans.